Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about some of the amazing contributions individuals make across the mighty Eden-Monaro. Today I'm thrilled to acknowledge the truly exceptional work of Chenoa, a proud member of the Embrace Disability Group in Jerrabomberra and a champion in every sense of the word. At the recent para table tennis championships in Traralgon, Chenoa brought home two silver medals, two bronze medals and the title of 'best player, class 11 women'. These achievements reflect not only her talent and determination but also the incredible support and inclusion fostered by the Embrace Disability Group. Chenoa's journey is one of perseverance, leadership and heart. She's shown us that barriers can be broken and that community and sport go hand in hand. Her success is a win for us all and a powerful reminder of what's possible when we embrace diversity and champion inclusion. Chenoa, we're really proud of you. Congratulations.

I rise today to acknowledge the historic return of Goulburn's Lilac City Brass to the NSW State Band Championships. In a landmark moment for regional music, Lilac City Brass represented Goulburn at the NSW State Band Championships in Penrith last weekend. It marks the first time since World War II that a Goulburn based band has competed at the prestigious state-level event. Their return to the competition stage is not only a significant milestone for Lilac City Brass but a proud moment for the Goulburn community. Each piece was assessed by a blind adjudicator positioned out of sight in a sealed area of the auditorium to ensure objective judging. Well done to everyone involved. It was a great opportunity to be there.

I want to give a massive shout-out to Robbie Sanderson from Bungendore, an incredible young athlete and a true mighty Eden-Monaro legend. Robbie is 11 years old and has just returned from the UAE with two world titles to his name after an outstanding performance on the international stage. He won gold in the boys grappling under-14 45-kilogram division on 1 August 2025, and he also claimed a world MMA title, making him a dual world champion in both grappling and mixed martial arts. This extraordinary achievement is a testament to Robbie's hard work, discipline and talent. We are incredibly proud of him and excited to follow his journey as he represents our region and our country with pride.

I also rise to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievement of Sophie Ashton from Goulburn, who is currently representing Australia at the 2025 World Bridge Teams Championships in Denmark. She is the first woman to compete in the Australian open team in almost 20 years. Her selection follows an outstanding performance after the 2025 open play-off, where Sophie and her team came out on top. Her strategic brilliance and calm under pressure were evident throughout the tournament, and her presence in the open team has been impactful, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of players. Sophie also runs a medical practice in Goulburn, so she supports our local community as well. Well done to Sophie.