Mrs MAY (9:55 AM) —Last month Australia hosted one of the most inspiring sporting events ever staged—the 11th Paralympic Games. As a parliamentarian for the Paralympics, I was proud to support this pinnacle event and witness the way in which the human spirit is able to triumph over physical adversity in an awe-inspiring spectacle. I have also taken an interest in the Paralympic Games on a more personal level in my electorate. I have already spoken in this place of the Gold Coast's local swimming champion Shane Walsh and the challenges he overcame to make it to the Paralympic Games. I am proud to be able to report that Shane Walsh delivered the goods for his community and his country. Shane was a member of the Australian men's 4 x 100 metres relay team that scooped silver at the games. He was also placed fifth in the 50-metres freestyle and seventh in the 100-metres freestyle.

I met up with Shane shortly after he returned from the games and naturally he is thrilled at his medal win. Although Shane deserves every ounce of credit for the countless hours he spent training at the Bond University pool, he is the first to admit that no-one can achieve such a feat alone. So, on behalf of Shane Walsh and myself, I would like to put on the parliamentary record our immense gratitude and respect for the residents, businesses and community organisations that believed in Shane's dream and helped him achieve it. The first donor to come on board to help out our home-grown hero was local developer Nifsan Gold Seal Homes. I would particularly like to thank the general manager, Ian McLean, and the quality control manager, Ken Philips, for donating the price of an airfare to Sydney so that Shane was able to have a loved one there to support him.

The following businesses and individuals also helped Shane achieve his goal: Bob Binks from Surfside Ford, John Gardner from Strand Resorts, Roger and Lyn Campbell from Palm Beach Super Cycle, Glen Ferguson from Credit Union Australia, Tracey Douglas from Connect the Coast, the Gold Coast Coalition for Aged Persons Physical Activities, Tricare, David Travers and his team at the Landmark Parkroyal in Sydney, Mr and Mrs Richards from IM-Press Promotions, Diane Smerdon from Palm Beach, Lana Robertson from Elanora, Jim Sherry, the Lewis family from Burleigh Heads and an anonymous donor of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce. Although I could speak for hours on the way in which each one of these people made a difference to Shane achieving his goal in Sydney, there is not the time. Shane and I thank all those community supporters for helping him achieve his goal in Sydney.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —Order! In accordance with standing order 275A, the time for members' statements has concluded.