CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr HOGAN (Page—Deputy Manager of Opposition Business) (16:24): I'd like to congratulate the Casino RSM Cougars on defeating Murwillumbah to win the 2026 men's first grade rugby league grand final on Saturday. This is the Cougars' first premiership since 1990—36 long years ago. What makes the win even more special is that 17 of the 19 players are Casino locals who came through the local junior system.
Congratulations to coach, Brett Loy; captain, Jay Mayer; and players, Joshua Beech, Damien Benn, Lochlan Bower, Grant Byers-Brown, Waylon Caldwell, Josiah Clifford, Izac Cooper, Harry Cusack, Kale Fraser, Tain Fraser, Isaiah Freeburn, Tye Hogan, Gairo Kapana, Charles Kumbi, Connor Lynes, Thomas McGrady, Nick Morrissey, Joel Ryan, Michael Schipp—he'll be a very proud dad, as a lot of them are—Braith Torrens, Thomas Walker and Eddie Walker-Williams.
Congratulations also to the manager, Tony Johnson; trainers, Dave Ellis, Matty Roberts, Peter Stanborough and Kirk Hancock; strapper, Wayne Orton; and club president, Travis Falls. Well done to the Cougars. Casino is a very happy place right now.
I'd like to congratulate Yamba Bowling Club on its incredible 90th birthday and for all the services that it's provided for our community. The club was established in 1936, with the first clubhouse built in 1937. Also in 1937, the local women came together to form the Yamba Women's Bowling Club.
Generations of locals have helped build the club that we know today—people like Bob 'the Bear' Ware, who became head greenkeeper in 1975. Bob was also a local champion bowler and won nine club singles titles. His legacy continues today through the Bob Ware Open Triples.
The club has grown over 90 years. I remember and was very proud to be at the opening of the Family Leisure Centre back in 2016. The bowlo remains a huge part of Yamba.
It brings people together, supports local organisations and hosts some of Australia's biggest bowling competitions. Congratulations to CEO, Greg Targett; club president, Ian Lauder; and all members, volunteers and staff members. Happy birthday to the Yamba bowlo.
I'd like to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Corindi Beach Hotel—40 years in our community. It was best known as the Amble Inn, which opened in 1986, and for decades was a landmark on the old Pacific Highway. It was the last pub for around 50 kilometres.
Tracey Byard was there on the opening night 40 years ago. She later became the licensee and is still part of the club today. In 2022, it changed hands for the first time, and Rodney 'Ned' Kelly and Corey Dunn took over the pub.
Today, it's owned by the North Coast Hotel Group. Congratulations to Harry, Tracey, all the staff members and local people who've been part of the pub's story.