Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Northside has lost a valued community champion with the passing of Banyo resident Ron Virgen OAM on 30 December 2025. Ron's life was dedicated to service. A 20-year Army veteran, he saw active duty in Borneo with the 4RAR during the Indonesian confrontation. His service did not stop there. When Ron finished his military career, he channelled his passion into helping war widows and veterans through the Banyo RSL subbranch in my electorate of Lilley. Ron was instrumental in establishing Australia's first RSL citizens auxiliary, supporting non-veterans and allowing them to give back as well. This model has now been adopted nationally by the RSL. Ron deservedly received his Order of Australia medal in 2010 for service to the welfare of veterans and their families through the Banyo RSL subbranch and to youth. A proud member of the Australian Labor Party, Ron was farewelled by his wife of 62 years, Annette; his children, Karen, Chris, Paula and Warren; and their families and friends on 14 January. Vale, Ron Virgen; our community will be poorer without you,

Last month, it was my great honour to officially open a new state-of-the-art netball clubhouse in my electorate of Lilley thanks to a $3 million investment from the Albanese government. The new Brisbane Netball Association clubhouse at Bradbury Park, Chermside, delivers better accessible facilities, changerooms, new administration spaces, function rooms, canteen and registration areas, storage amenities and spectator areas along with carpark upgrades. The BNA has been around for more than 50 years, and this $3 million investment helps set them up for the next 50. More than 1,300 netballers play at Bradbury Park each week, and this new clubhouse provides a modern facility to support the growth of netball across the northside. This is yet another demonstration of us delivering not only on our election commitments but on our broader commitment to develop Australia by funding projects that build opportunity and improve liveability.

Two organisations in my electorate of Lilley are receiving grants under the Albanese government's Saluting Their Service program. Everton Park State School P&C will receive $10,000 to construct a memorial garden, install a flagpole and relocate a memorial rock and plaque on the school grounds. There are many Defence Force families at the school, and I know this project will be welcomed. Separately, the Friends of Nundah Historic Cemetery group received $6,500 to develop a website, which will include an interactive map of Queensland's oldest cemetery. This will allow visitors to locate the graves of service personnel and view detailed biographical information of the area's first settlers. These are important local projects for my community, and I look forward to each progressing in my patch on the north side.

With my remaining time, I wish the Brighton Roosters all the very best against the Logan Pride this Saturday in the first round back. Also, in the Hostplus Cup, very best of luck to the Norths Devils, who will be off to Toowoomba for round 2 on Sunday. Good luck, everyone.