Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Saturday night I joined with the Hornsby Rockets tenpin bowling club for their Christmas party and presentation night at the Hornsby RSL. It was a great honour that evening to be formally inducted as one of their patrons. The Hornsby Rockets is a bowling club for people with disabilities and is run entirely by volunteers. Earlier this month the Hornsby Rockets had a fantastic national championship—coming home with 23 medals, seven trophies and achieving first place. The rockets also claimed an able-bodied record at the New South Wales state championships earlier this year. Karina Peters, Mark Milner, Warren Seymour and Nathan Constable knocked down 1,657 pins in a game of teams. It was quite an achievement!

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Hornsby Rockets committee members including their president Lesley Constable and vice president Lucy Mandarano as well as Tony McFadden, Anna Peters, Jo Eslick and Annette Seymour. I would also like to make special mention of their captains Amy McFadden, Liz Gosson, Tim Wilson and Nathan Constable. Amy McFadden was the recipient of an encouragement award for supporting other bowlers. Paige Sammut, Jeremy Orr and Nathan Constable tied for third place, with Lauren Kerjan in second place and Louise Pond won the Clark achievement award—which is given to the bowlers who bowl the most number of games on average each week.

At the dinner, I was presented with a book that showcased the team's unique history. I think it sums up the evening by saying they are a team of bowlers who have an extraordinary talent and who always express honesty, great sportsmanship, respect and support for each other.