ADJOURNMENT
Mr GEE (Calare) (19:30): The arrival of spring in the Central West means it's footy finals time. We just love our country sporting derbies, and today I recognise three outstanding sporting clubs from the Calare electorate whose achievements this season have made their communities enormously proud: the Orange City Rugby Club, the Cargo Blue Heelers and the Oberon Tigers.
Country sporting clubs are about much more than what happens on the field; they bring people together where lifelong friendships are built and they provide a place where everyone belongs. This year, these three great clubs have certainly given their communities plenty to celebrate. First, congratulations to the Orange City Lions, who won the Blowes Cup men's third-grade premiership, defeating their local crosstown rivals, the Orange Emus, 15-12.
Congratulations to coach Mike Smith and the grand final team, including captain Josh Tremain, Keith Lawson, Mike Smith, Mitchell Pearce, Harrison Starr, Tom Bray, Gus Smith, Alen Varghese, Barton Young, Joe Lasagavibau, Noa Fraser, Sia Nemani, Jordyn Hogden, Moses Rewais and Harry Grant. A special mention goes to halfback Barton Young, who reached an extraordinary milestone this season, playing his 300th game.
Three hundred games for one club is an enormous achievement and speaks volumes about Barton's loyalty and dedication to Orange City Rugby. Well done to the mighty Lions. From Orange, we head down the road to the vibrant community of Cargo, where the Cargo Blue Heelers women's league tag team completed an extraordinary undefeated season—that's right, undefeated.
The grand final was an absolute thriller. Trailing 10-4 at half time, the Heelers refused to give in, and two late tries saw them storm home to claim a nail biting 14-12 premiership victory over the Manildra Rhinos. Both the Heelers' semis had gone into extra time, including one that was decided in golden point.
This is clearly a team that knows how to dig deep when the pressure is on. Congratulations to coach Anthony Regan, who grew up in Cargo, played first grade for the club in the 1980s and has now coached the league tag side to their fourth premiership. Congratulations also to captain Ebony Madden, Sophie Fardell, Chelsea Colgan, Hannah Madden, Emma Swallow, Eadie Brown, Ava Thornberry, Holly Willson, Rachel Kuczynski, Sarah Kirkness, Jorja Lees, Adelaide Pittis, Rhiannon Lamb, Taylah Guyer, Tori Ryan, Ashley Johnston, Sally White, Theika McNaught, Lily Vardenega, Jenna Young, Holly Jones and Caitlin Brand.
A number of these players were also members of Cargo's first premiership-winning league tag side in 2018. For a small community, this is something to be incredibly proud of. I also acknowledge president Ashley Brown, a lifelong Cargo local who pulled the Blue Heelers jersey on from the age of 16 into his late 40s—what a legend.
Congratulations to the Heeler girls. Finally, to Oberon, where the mighty Oberon Tigers first-grade side have gone back-to-back as Woodbridge Cup champions, defeating the mighty Blayney Bears 24-14 to claim the premiership for the second year running. I make mention of this wonderful grand-final-winning team; it is their second premiership in two years under captain-coach Nic Barlow.
Congratulations to the team, including not only Nic but Callum Limon, Abel Lefaoseu, Jayden Fagg, Bob Lefaoseu, Blake Fitzpatrick, Dave Sellers, Jack O'Neill, Ryan Jervis, Luke Christie-Johnston, Nathan Barlow, Matt Ranse, Blake Rigelsford, Wil Melchers, Tyler Young, Sam Manatua, Shannon Hodgson, Jamie Arriola and Jae Malaulau. I also acknowledge team manager Brian Moss, sports trainers James, Tee-Jay and the mighty Chilli, and first-grade sponsor Andy Adams Constructions.
First-grade rugby league in Oberon dates back to 1957, and this team is writing another proud chapter in that history. The Oberon Tigers also demonstrated what country sporting clubs are truly about through their annual Can Assist Day. This year their auction raised an extraordinary $80,000, while over the past nine years the club has raised more than $420,000 for Can Assist Oberon.
What an effort! And well done to the under-18 Youth League side this year. Under coach Abel Lefaoseu, manager Pip Honan and captain Jed Ryan, the young Tigers made the grand final.
While they went down to a strong Cowra Magpies side, they should be enormously proud of all they have achieved. Congratulations to the Lions, the Heelers and the Tigers!