A Private Members Statement delivered on 23 August, 2023, by the Member for Keira, the Hon. Ryan Park MP.

Mr RYAN PARK (Keira) (19:43): I celebrate a number of important achievements in my local electorate. First, the outstanding accomplishments of Shakamoto, a local Illawarra band, which recently took out first place in the YouthRock band competition that recognises the musical talents of students across New South Wales. The band consists of four friends from Keira High School in my electorate—my electorate is obviously named after the beautiful mountain—who have combined their musicianship and mateship to take out the statewide contest with their original song,Whale the Creator.

I am pleased to inform the House that, as a result of the competition, Shakamoto has now won the opportunity to record an original song, as well as $1,000 for musical equipment and another $1,000 voucher for the band members' school. I offer massive congratulations to Hamish Kettley, Callum Finlay, Orlando Bards and Aiden Knight on their outstanding performance at the competition. They have done themselves, their community and their school proud. Additionally, congratulations to all the other bands that competed in the competition and that are continuing to contribute to the next generation of musicians in New South Wales.

I also recognise the accomplishments of a group of amazing female athletes from the Illawarra at the recent Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships. I am pleased to inform the House that five Illawarra locals have been selected, following their stand-out performances at the tournament, to represent Australia in an overseas test match later this year in Papua New Guinea. The inaugural Australian secondary schools championships sees talent from across the nation compete in the hope of being selected for the Australian side and is a testament to players' hard work and commitment to the sport. Congratulations to Kasey Reh of Figtree High School, who not only was selected to play for Australia but also received the Player of the Championship award in recognition of her exceptional performance throughout the tournament.

I congratulate Charlotte Basham of Illawarra Sports High School, who was awarded Player of the Final and was also selected to represent her country later this year. Additionally, I offer massive congratulations to Warilla High School's Indie Bostock, St Marys Star of the Sea College's Evie McGrath and another representative from Figtree High School, Caley Tallon-Henniker, for their selection to play for Australia later this year. I know all of those players are considered rising stars in their field, with both Kasey and Indie spending the recent pre‑season training with the Dragons National Rugby League Women's team on development deals. Charlotte, Evie and Caley were also given the opportunity to train with the Illawarra Steelers' Lisa Fiaola Cup side this past season.

Like most Australians, I have spent the past weeks following the Matildas' journey through the amazing FIFA Women's World Cup and I am overjoyed to see women's sports continue to be embraced by my community. I take this opportunity to congratulate all our local players who competed in the tournament and convey best wishes and support from everyone in this place to all who will be representing Australia later this year. It is timely that I deliver this speech while multi Paralympic champion and medallist Liesl Tesch is in the Chamber to check that I am saying everything right. I thank the member for Gosford.

Ms Liesl Tesch: Go the girls in sport!