CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr REBELLO (McPherson) (10:00): I rise today to recognise some of the fantastic people and organisations that I've spent time with across the southern Gold Coast in recent weeks. Before heading back to Canberra, I joined Robina City Football Club for its junior presentation day. It was terrific to see so many young players, families, coaches and volunteers come together to celebrate another season.
With well over 2,000 people attending, it was a great reminder of how important local sporting clubs are to our community. I thank the club's president, Paul Rushton, for the invitation and congratulate every single player, volunteer, supporter and coach that was recognised on the day. I also joined Kirra Surf Life Saving Club to celebrate an extraordinary achievement by our IRB team.
This year, Kirra won both the 2026 Australian under-23s IRB championship and the Australian open IRB championship. They've given me a hat to bring to Canberra as well. Even more remarkably, that makes three consecutive Australian open titles—back-to-back-to-back Australian champions.
That is an outstanding achievement for the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who've worked so hard behind the scenes. I thank the club's president, Hayden Lewis-Fox, and everyone at Kirra for the invitation and congratulate the team on making club history. A few weeks ago, I spent an evening with Walk With Us at Burleigh Uniting Church, where volunteers provide meals and support to people who are experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
Their work is practical, compassionate and deeply valued by our community. I thank Nikki Luke and the entire Walk With Us team for the welcome and for the time and care that they give to people who are doing it tough. I'd like to congratulate them on receiving $1,849 under the Commonwealth's 2025-26 volunteer grants, which will help them continue their important work.
Finally, I joined Reedy Creek Neighbourhood Watch for its Movies in the Park event at Kingsmore Park. Families enjoyed games, face painting and activities. Bonogin rural fire service, Carrara SES and the Gold Coast disaster and emergency management team were also there and engaging with our community.
In particular, I'd like to thank the dedication and work of Rob Ormsby and the Reedy Creek Neighbourhood Watch team. They're a fantastic team who bring the community together, and they did so that night along with the local councillor Glenn Tozer and all the volunteers and supporters who made the afternoon possible. The southern Gold Coast is full of people who give their time, energy and skills to making our community and our country a better and stronger place.
It is such a privilege to represent them in this community, and I thank all the community organisations that I've had the opportunity to spend some time with in the last couple of weeks.