Zhi Soon (Banks, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to pay tribute to Lachlan Leong, who sadly passed away at the age of 17 earlier this year. Lachlan was a remarkable young man: caring, wise beyond his years and a much-loved member of the community in Padstow and at Menai High School. Lachlan was also an extraordinary table tennis player, ranked fifth in the country for his age group and 32nd in the country overall. The last two years had brought Lachlan much success in the sport, including wins in a number of national tournaments and wins over players that were several years his senior. He had a special talent that I was able to see, briefly, at the St George & Sutherland Shire Table Tennis Association last year. It earnt him wide recognition, and he will be sorely missed by many in the table tennis community who saw his boundless potential.

I was able to attend Lachlan's funeral on 14 January, and my thoughts are with his family, particularly his parents, Simon and Connie, and his brothers, Mathew and Jayden, who I had the privilege of meeting. At the funeral, many spoke about Lachlan's thoughtfulness and selflessness, whether at school, with his family or at table tennis. The room was full to the brim with family and friends, including countless members of Menai High School and of table tennis fraternities. Lachlan will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.