House debates

Wednesday, 3 August 2022

Statements by Members

Commonwealth Games

1:54 pm

Photo of Angus TaylorAngus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

This week, Australians are cheering on our athletes in green and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and what a magnificent job they're doing. It's a great honour that from my electorate we have two representatives at the games: Ellen Ryan from Goulburn, competing in the lawn bowls, and Josh Azzopardi from Camden, competing in the men's 4 x 100 track relay.

Ellen Ryan knows the Goulburn bowling club green like the back of her hand. At 25, she's the youngest member of the Australian lawn bowls team. On Monday she claimed Australia's first-ever gold medal in women's lawn bowls singles at the Commonwealth Games. What an outstanding achievement. She is great ambassador for our nation and for her home town of Goulburn, which is also my hometown.

Josh Azzopardi is also participating in the games. He joined Camden Little Athletics in the under-sixes as a bit of fun with some schoolmates. It was there that he found his stride and a love of athletics. Now, at 22, he's representing his country and his hometown of Camden at the games. What a proud moment for his community, his family and our nation. Josh recorded his best Australian championship performance in April, sprinting his way to a silver medal in the 100 metres. We are all behind him and the team, who are running in the men's 4 x 100 relay taking place later this week. Well done.