LLEW O’BRIEN CONGRATULATES WIDE BAY’S SPORTING CHAMPIONS

May 16, 2023

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien today congratulated local sports stars who will receive grants to help them participate in state and national competitions.
 
The young sportsmen and women will each receive a grant of between $500 to $750, through the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions and Local Para Champions programs, which supports participants aged 12 to 24 to help meet the costs of participating in sporting events, including travel, equipment,
uniforms and accommodation. 

“I congratulate these young athletes on their success in the latest round of the Local Sporting Champions
and the Local Para Champions program. Wide Bay has a strong track record in producing skilled and successful sport champions, and these sporting champions deserve to be congratulated and encouraged on their sporting journey,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The cost of representing Wide Bay at state or national titles can be quite high, especially when long-distance travel and accommodation is required, so this funding will help to ease that pressure on local families, and help our young athletes achieve their sporting goals.”

The following athletes have been successful: 

Name

Suburb

Sport 

Competition

Archer
Bailey

Tewantin

Surf
Life Saving

Australian
Surf Lifesaving Competition

Braxon
Livesey

Tewantin

Touch
Football

Queensland
School Sport 10-12 years Touch Football State Championships

Chillie
McCarthy

Noosaville

Rowing

Aussies

Cody
Fitzpatrick

Southside

Hockey

U/15
National Hockey Championships

Darcy
Dinnage

Tewantin

Surf
Life Saving

Aussie
Titles Surf Life Saving Championship

Dylan
Wilson

Noosa
Heads

Surf
Life Saving

Australian
SLS Championships

Ellie
Brice

Amamoor

Netball

Australian
Netball Championships

Emmersen
McEwan

Noosa
Heads

Water
Polo

Australian
Youth Water Polo Championships

Harper
McEwan

Noosa
Heads

Water
Polo

Australian
Youth Water Polo Championships

Joe
Tolano

Marcus
Beach

Surf
Life Saving

Australian
Youth Surf Lifesaving Championships

Joseph
Hodgson

Pie
Creek

Hockey

Hockey
Australia U15 Championships

Josh
Shanahan

Noosaville

Triathlon

World
Duathlon Championships – Spain

Lachlan
Caple

Sunshine
Beach

Water
Polo

Australian
Youth Water Polo Championships

Lily
Hamilton

Southside

Touch
Football

State
School Touch Championships

Lottie
Cooper

Noosaville

Rowing

Aussies
– 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships

Nicholas
Peterson

Noosaville

Surf
Life Saving

The
Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships

Philip
Scougall

Island
Plantation

Hockey

U15
National Hockey

Pia
Heffernan

Tewantin

Surf
Life Saving

Aussies
– 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships

Rihanna
Newman

Maryborough

Hockey

Under
15 Australian Hockey championships

Rosita
Ortega

Peregian
Beach

Surf
Life Saving

AUSSIES  – 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving
Championships

Tom
Bergemenn

Glenwood

Volleyball

Australian
Youth Beach Volleyball Championships

William
O’Connor

Sunrise
Beach

Surf
Life Saving

Australian
Surf Life Saving Championships

Zach
Heffernan

Tewantin

Surf
Life Saving

Aussies
– 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships

Zara
Cross

Sunshine
Beach

Surf
Life Saving

Australian
Championships

“There were many applications for the Local Sporting Champions Program and only limited grants are available, but I am really impressed by the depth of talent, the level of commitment, and the ambition and pursuit of excellence that the applicants demonstrated.” 

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is responsible for the management and coordination of the program, with grant recipients selected by a local panel. 

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

In the spirit of Australia, I acknowledge all citizens who contribute to making our nation the greatest on earth.

I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.