Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was wonderful to attend the 2019 Bundjalung NAIDOC Awards and Ball in Lismore last week. The night was to acknowledge the achievements of individuals and organisations within the Bundjalung community in the Northern Rivers. My congratulations to the advisory group which put together the night and the other events through NAIDOC Week. They are Sarah Bolt, Diane Harrington, Maria Bolt, Virginia Ingham, Angela Sheridan, Miranda Smith, Brandan Harrington, Roseanne Roberts, Kris Roberts, Sheldon Harrington, Adrian Harrington and Georgia Kohen.

I would also like to congratulate all the nominees. For Elder of the Year, the nominees were Aunty Irene Harrington and Uncle Tom Roberts; for Youth of the Year, Talah Laurie and Kaleesha King-Rhodes; for Apprentice of the Year, Godfrey Swan, Caitlin Kenny and Tamyka Smith; for Scholar of the Year, Emma Walker and Kelly Hyde; for Caring for Country, Brandan Harrington and Michael Ryan; for Sportsperson of the Year, Jada Williams and Patrick Speeding; for Artist of the Year, Zac Paden, Sheldon Harrington and Anthony Gordon; and, for Community Person of the Year, Simone Barker, Jo Groves, Janelle Ryan-Maunder, Tom Roberts, Margaret Mercy, Wendy Knight, Lilly Manton and Uncle Christopher Bolt. They have all done great things in our community, and I congratulate them all on their nominations.

The under-13-age championships were played at the Grafton Hockey Centre, where the Far North Coast division 2 team took out first place, with Abbey Brunton, Hayley Marshall and Hollie Matthews being selected for the national selection squad and Grafton's Martina Williams also being selected. Other members of the winning division 2 team were Lani Blunn, Imogen Cook, Sarah Fivaz, Shaylin Gooley, Emily Hoskins, Tarni Hughes, Alice Parrish, Lillian White, Coco Zorzo, Zoe Nisbet and Olivia Van Zwieten. The team was coached by Sherilee Matthews. The under-13 boys players that were selected for the New South Wales squad—and congratulations to them—were James Coleman, Kalani Franklin, Connor Makings, Charlie McGarvie, Kael Cook, Axel Hargans and Theodore Lobsey.

The under-15 boys and girls 2020 New South Wales hockey squads were announced prior to the school holidays, with the following players being selected: in the girls squad, McKenna Ensbey, Breah Fisher and Maya McGrath; and, in the boys squad, Billy Bradford, Harry Hughes, Jesse McGarvie, Joshua Perry, Hamish Speed, Keaton Stutt and Daykin Stanger.

There have also been two state development squads announced for the 15-to-18 age groups. Georgia Brown, Alana Albertini, Marshall Brown, Nella Bradford and Gabby Arundull have all made it to the accelerated program. I congratulate all these students who are excelling in this sport.