House debates

Thursday, 28 July 2022

Statements by Members

Commonwealth Games

1:29 pm

Photo of David SmithDavid Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

SMITH ( — ) ( ): Deputy Speaker, I rise to congratulate you on your elevation but also to congratulate, encourage and support members of the ACT community who have joined a team of 435 dedicated athletes from right around the country to represent Australia at the 22nd Commonwealth Games. Right now, there are 13 world-class athletes representing the ACT all the way over in Birmingham. I would like to congratulate Andrew Charter, Angela Ballard, Corey Toole, Daniel McConnell, Grace Brown, Jake Lappin, James Bacueti, Jaydon Page, Matthew Levy, Sam Harding, Samuel Carter, Timothy Disken and Zoe Cuthbert for representing the ACT. I would also like to give a shout-out to Ellie Dixon, one of my constituents on Norfolk Island, on her debut at the games. Seventeen-year-old Ellie is following in the footsteps of her father, Ryan, who in 2018 came home with a medal in the lawn bowls event. I would also like to give a shout-out to Ellie's mum, Susie, who enlisted our help and worked so hard to make sure that Ellie had a new passport within 48 hours—not an easy feat from Norfolk Island. This is a mammoth achievement for the whole family and there is so much for them to be proud of. All of Bean are behind you, Ellie, and all our other wonderful athletes from right across the ACT.