KEVIN HOGAN MP

Last month I mentioned the importance of leadership in our communities and how I was looking forward to my upcoming school leader’s events in Lismore and Grafton. It was fantastic to see over 300 people attend the Lismore event and over 500 people at the Grafton event.

Naomi Moran was my guest speaker in Lismore. As General Manager of the Koori Mail and as a significant community leader during Lismore’s floods, Naomi gave an inspirational speech about her background and the importance of leadership. My Grafton guest speaker was Cate McQuillan. Cate is best known for being the writer and director of Dirtgirlworld and gave an account of her incredible journey creating “out there” children’s programming shown in over 128 countries around the globe.

Student leaders play an important role in the life of their school community and it’s important to recognise them and thank them. I would like to thank the students, teachers, mums, dads, carers and grandparents who came along to the events and Naomi and Cate for telling their stories. It was also wonderful this month to recognise a number of young local sporting champions excelling in their sports and representing our region at a State, National or International level.

Congratulations to:

Clayton Wilkinson from Casino – Swimming

Piper Coughran from Swan Bay – Athletics

Abbie Yourell from Evans Head - Swimming

Aidan Arnison from Evans Head – Swimming

Hezakiah Brown from Woodenbong- Athletics

Felicity Walker from Alstonville - Swimming

Jaiden Sanders from Wollongbar - Athletics

Oscar O’Mara from Alstonville - Touch Football

Taj Doyle from Alstonville - Athletics

Alanna Bromhead from Goonellabah –Swimming

Amirah Shah from Lismore – Athletics

Beth Lockwood from Caniaba – Swimming

Cooper Williams from Caniaba - Cricket

Daniel Frey from Nimbin – Athletics

Lachlan O’Sullivan from Lismore – Softball

Logan Connolly from Lismore – Netball

Mikayla Frey from Nimbin – Athletics

Saffron Anderson from Goonellabah –Equestrian

Malachi Canning from Caniaba - Athletics

Bessie Dungey from Waterview Heights - Surf

Life Saving

Brock Harrison from Grafton - Darts

Jordyn McSkimming from Grafton - Surf Life Saving

Molly Dungey from Waterview Heights - Surf Life Saving

Shaniqua Williams from Grafton - Hockey

Ella Jenner from Yamba - Basketball

Ewan Clowes from Sapphire BeachVolleyball

Brock Stubbs from Emerald Beach - Motor Sport

Lara Hannaford from Woolgoolga - Surf Life Saving

Maggie Carr from Mullaway – Canoeing

Succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination –parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions.

I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with $550 grants through the Local Sporting Champions program.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. If you visit www.sportaus.gov. au and go to Grants and Funding you can apply there.

What does Dave the Deckie do when he fnds a shark in his net?

By Samantha Elley

Title: Dave the Deckie: A Shark In the Net

Author: Jeff Townsend

Publisher: Shawline

Publishing

Price: $18.95

A change of pace is as good as a holiday and reading the children’s book Dave the Deckie:

A shark in the net, is just that.

It’s no secret that Dave the Deckie loves his job as he travels the oceans.

Along with his larger than life Skipper, they travel in a wooden prawn trawler and have many adventures.

On this particular