STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr KENNEDY (Cook) (16:33): I want to congratulate a remarkable young student, Zara Newton, from Jannali East Public School. Zara recently broke the under-eights 50-metre freestyle record, a record that had stood for over 10 years. She swam a time of 45.4 seconds, placing her name in the history of this school.

Zara didn't stop there. She went on to compete at the state level, where she broke her own personal best with a time of 43.02, placed 19th in the state of New South Wales. What an outstanding achievement.

Behind every result like this is discipline, commitment and courage. It takes early mornings, training, focus and the willingness to keep pushing yourself even after you've already achieved something special. Zara's achievement is also a reminder of the depth of local sporting talent we have in our community in Cook.

Across Cook, young people are working hard, representing their schools, clubs, families and our local area with pride. Zara has done Jannali East Public School, her family and the wider Cook community proud. Congratulations, Zara.

I congratulate you on breaking this record, on representing your school at a state level and on showing what can be achieved through dedication and determination. I've no doubt this is only the beginning for you, Zara. Good luck for the road ahead.