Mr NAIRN (9:54 AM) —At this time of the year there are many football finals and those sorts of things happening around the country, and I do not think we should lose sight of the fact that not only is this happening at the very senior levels, which get all the television coverage, but also there are many great sporting achievements happening at the local level. This morning I would like to congratulate some of the successful football teams in my electorate of Eden-Monaro.

In rugby league the Queanbeyan Blues took out the Canberra Raiders Cup premiership last Sunday with a spirited 34-20 win over competition favourites West Belconnen at Seiffert Oval. The Blues trailed West Belconnen 20-10 midway through the second half, but a gutsy comeback led by captain Geoff McNamara saw victory for the Queanbeyan boys. In reserve grade we had a Queanbeyan victory also, but this time it was a victory to the Queanbeyan Kangaroos, who beat West Belconnen 32-30. The Queanbeyan Blues narrowly lost the under-18 decider to Goulburn 21-20, and I understand that it was only a field goal in the last 25 seconds of the game which made the difference.

In the George Took Shield competition, which is the division under the Canberra Raiders Cup, the Cooma Stallions were too good for Crookwell, winning 18-16—another great result for captain-coach Simon Scott and his team and hardworking club officials like Col Cook, who have put many years of blood, sweat and tears into the Stallions. In Group 7 rugby league down on the coast, Batemans Bay thrashed Milton Ulladulla, I am sorry to tell the member for Gilmore, 54-10 in front of a record crowd of 5,500 spectators last Saturday at the bay, which is quite remarkable—5,500 at a football match in a town of 13,000. It was a wonderful win for coach Mark Bell, captain Michael Elliott and the whole club. The team is also in the running for the Claytons Cup—an honour for the best team in New South Wales for the season.

In the ACT Australian rules football league the Queanbeyan Tigers had a mixed day. The seniors made the grand final again, but unfortunately went down by 70 points to the Belconnen Magpies. But earlier in the day the under-18s finished the season undefeated. The young Tigers won the grand final by beating Tuggeranong 12.4.76 to 5.9.39. The far south coast AFL grand final will be fought out this weekend between Batemans Bay and the Merimbula Marlins. In the game that I know is played heaven, rugby union, in the far south coast rugby union competition, Batemans Bay recently took out the premiership by defeating Vincentia 19-8. I am told that a great effort by fly-half and captain David Dejongh contributed to the win.

To all those throughout Eden-Monaro involved in grand finals, congratulations. There are still many other games to come in other sports, which we might talk about at another time. You have given your supporters, your cities and towns something to be very proud of—well done.