CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr REBELLO (McPherson) (09:54): Over the past few weeks, I've had the privilege of engaging with a range of groups across our Gold Coast community, each contributing in their own way to the strength and the character of our region. I recently joined Adam and the team of committed volunteers to celebrate our local sporting champions at the Varsity Vipers basketball summer awards day 2026.

It was a great afternoon celebrating the achievements of the club's hundreds of registered junior players across the season, while also acknowledging the coaches, the volunteers, the families, the sponsors and the organisations who make it all possible. The sun was out at Tugun Bowls Club for Bowls Australia's Long Roll event, part of the campaign to see lawn bowls included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It was a terrific opportunity to meet local members and join them on the green, and I learnt that I am not that bad at bowls. It was a great opportunity to also take part in an event that highlighted the broad appeal of bowls across all ages and experience levels. The club also held their Biggest Morning Tea in support of Cancer Council Queensland.

Raffles, a fashion parade and community support brought members and locals together for an important cause. Congratulations to president, Karen Spangler, and to the volunteers who made the event such a success. McPherson is home to some of the best schools in the country.

One of the highlights of being the federal MP is delivering civics education to the next generation. I met with some impressive year 12 legal studies students at All Saints Anglican School to discuss a range of issues relevant to their studies and the work of the federal parliament. It was encouraging to see their interest and thoughtful engagement.

There are some future lawyers and politicians in there, no doubt! Somerset College hosted me to deliver a class on civics, representative democracy and the roles of federal, state and local governments for the year 6 cohort. The students were switched on and full of questions, and credit to the fantastic teachers indeed.

At the Industry School in Robina, I had the opportunity to meet school leaders and the new principal, play a game of multiplayer volleyball against the students and even deadlift with them at the gym. I met with principal Ian Johnson at Mastery Schools Coolangatta and discussed the school's unique approach to supporting students. It was encouraging to hear directly from the young people about their experiences at the school.

We have some of the most dedicated surf lifesavers on the southern Gold Coast. I recently joined the members of the Palm Beach surf lifesaving club for their annual awards night and dinner. The selflessness of these volunteers was on display when they were awarded for their contributions to ensuring safety on our beaches.

Across each of these visits and events, it is clear that the southern Gold Coast community punches well and truly above its weight for community spirit and for mateship.