Ms HOARE (9:52 AM) —Last week I had the honour and privilege to present the Australian Sports Medal to eight very worthy recipients in my electorate of Charlton. The medal was a once only award made in the year 2000 to Australians who were active in playing sport and providing assistance to the sports industry. I would just like to mention those eight people who received their awards last Wednesday.

Mr Albert Roberts received the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to sailing. Albert is a founding member of the Teralba Amateur Sailing Club and has been a member for 53 years. He continues to be an active supporting member of the club. Mr Ken Lettice received the medal for his contribution to soccer. Ken was a member of and player for the Swansea Soccer Club for 28 years and played over 650 club games. He is a coach and committee member of the club. Mr Alan Kildey received the medal for his contribution to sailing. Alan is a founding member of the Teralba Amateur Sailing Club and has been a member for 53 years. He is still an active supporting member.

Ms Lois Green received the Australian Sports Medal for her contribution to netball. Lois has been associated with the Newcastle Netball Association for over 50 years. She has represented Newcastle for 15 years and New South Wales for 10 years. Ms Nola Green also received the medal for her contribution to netball. Nola has been involved with the Newcastle Netball Association for over 40 years. She represented Newcastle in an open representative team for 31 years and has coached Newcastle netball teams for six years. Mr Noel Dunne received the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to soccer. Noel has given 40 years of service to the Toronto-Awaba Junior Soccer Club, maintaining the grounds and coaching junior soccer teams. He has just turned 80 and is still carrying out these services. Mr Chris Arnold received the medal for his contribution to AFL. Chris has worked tirelessly to ensure the successful amalgamation of the Newcastle AFL and the Central Coast AFL with the Black Diamond AFL. A beneficiary of that is my 10-year-old son, who is now playing Auskick AFL in school competitions.

Finally, I mention Mrs Julie Andrews, who received her medal for her contribution to touch football. Julie has been a member of the Wallsend Touch Association for 14 years. During this time, Julie has been a committee person, a park player, a representative player and an administrator. Her outstanding efficiency and management skills allowed the association to become a stand-out club, funding and building its own clubhouse and erecting several sets of lights. The Australian Sports Medal was a fantastic way to recognise these local people in our community who have given so much, and my children and I have benefited from this. (Time expired)