STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:54): I want to take a moment today to recognise two outstanding young athletes who have done the Hunter community incredibly proud at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Boxer Emma-Sue Greentree came home with gold in the 75-kilogram division, and what an achievement that is. You don't just win gold at this level by accident.

It takes years of hard work, early mornings, long training sessions, plenty of sacrifice and, most importantly, the determination to keep going when things get tough. Emma-Sue has put all of that together, and she's got a Commonwealth Games gold medal to show for it. I also want to congratulate another boxer, Eve Bryson, who brought home a brilliant bronze in the 65-kilogram weight division.

To stand up on a Commonwealth Games podium is something very few people ever get the chance to experience. Eve has competed against the best in the Commonwealth and shown she belongs right there with them. What I love about achievements like these is the impact they have back home in the Hunter.

There will be young athletes watching Emma-Sue and Eve and thinking, 'Maybe I can do that, too,' and that's pretty special. Of course, behind every great athlete there's a team of coaches, family, friends, clubs and volunteers, and they all deserve a huge thankyou as well. Emma-Sue and Eve, you represented Australia and your community brilliantly and given us plenty to celebrate.

Congratulations on an outstanding Commonwealth Games. We're incredibly proud of you and every single Australian athlete that competed in Glasgow.