CALISTHENICS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:22): This year saw the elite in the sport of calisthenics gather in Queensland on the Gold Coast for the Australian Calisthenics Federation National Competition—the 23^rd annual event. The ACF, under president Lynne Hayward, coordinates the annual national competition, directed by Liz Kratzel, to give teams from each state and territory—unfortunately, still excepting Tasmania—the opportunity to compete at a level which always sees the best brought out in coaches and athletes, because that is exactly what the girls are—supremely fit athletes, dedicated to their sport. I remain impressed with the level of professionalism shown in the administration of the sport in all facets, from training and fitness programs to coaches and adjudicator programs and, of course, the ever important rules.

The girls would not be where they are today without the support of their families, their local clubs and coaches and national coaches and support personnel from their state bodies. To each and everyone involved at state and national level in making the event possible, I say thank you in my role as a local club patron, a proud CASA patron and life member and also as an ACF patron.

The Calisthenics Association of Queensland—or CAQI, as they are known—again secured the Arts Centre of the Gold Coast as our venue and the house was sold out for each of the four-day competition. To Sarah Chalmers and her committee, led by Anita Roser and volunteer team, because that is what it takes to put one of these competitions on, we say thank you for a year of hard work to make the event so successful. I hope you are now enjoying some of the well earned spare time I know that you will have. We cannot support a women's sport like calisthenics, particularly at the national level, without great sponsors and I would also like to thank all the sponsors of the national competition for their support.

South Australia selected a great team in each section, made up of the best competitors from clubs all over the state. Calisthenics remains a sport were winning is not the only reason that girls become involved; rather, they participate in the pursuit of excellence and to achieve their personal best. South Australia led the way this year, the girls pulling out all stops despite the usual last-minute injuries and incidents that seemed to be kept to a minimum this year. I am immensely proud of the efforts of everyone backstage, with the make-up, hair and costumes totally under control for each team of 20, and the ever reliable stage crew who manage to move props on and offstage, on cue and to time, so that the competition moves along on schedule.

Teams came from the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia in the Sub-Juniors. Our team, coached by Melissa Daysh assisted by Natalie Fleming, won three of the five events and came second in the remaining two to win the overall section. In Juniors, teams came from the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. Our coach Nikki Ianunzio, assisted by Keron White, won five of the six sections, with a second in the aesthetics, ensuring an overall win.

In the Intermediates, our coach Rebecca Williams, assisted by Lorinda Brooking and her team, faced stiff competition over the six disciplines for a win, four seconds and a third, which saw them placed second overall. And in what can only be described as a fantastic climax our Seniors, coached by Cassie Turner assisted by Carmel Margaritis, won each section to win Seniors overall for the first time since 1991 over the dominant Victorian and Western Australian teams. The enormity of this achievement cannot be overstated, and I am sure it will encourage girls all over the state—and indeed the nation—to recognise that hard work will eventually get results.

In junior grades for the solos, New South Wales competed in the closed section, and it was great to see its team again. In the open section, South Australia's Hayley Thomas, coached by Barbara Prizrenac, won the section with Emily Gray, coached by Nikki Ianunzio, equal second; and Harleigh Stanton, coached by Melissa Lydyard, after an equal first last year, came third. Our fourth competitor Brittany Rundle, coached by Sonya Benzija, did a great job too.

Intermediate gracefuls saw all states and territories represented, with Elyse Pavan, coached by Arleen Mount, second after her marvellous win last year. Tara Douglas, coached by Danae McGregor, was fourth, and Brittiny Emes, coached by Lisa Savaris, and Courtney Gray, coached by Melissa Lydyard, put in solid performances in a very tough section.

Senior gracefuls had an open and closed section, and I particularly want to mention New South Wales' Narelle Drake, coached by Tara Sullivan, as I did not have a chance to speak to them on the day. Our own South Australian Chloe Templeman, coached by Barbara Prizrenac, was outstanding, a deserving winner in her section. She has been competing at this level for so many years, also winning in 2008. Anikka Sellen, also coached by Barb, was equal third, and Emma Cain, coached by Barbara as well, and Lisa Barnes, coached by Melissa Lydyard, added to the depth of the South Australian competitors.

Junior calisthenics solos saw our two competitors placed: Sophie Hamden, coached by Melissa Lydyard, was equal second, and Sarah Worsman, coached by Rebecca Aplin, was third. Intermediate calisthenics duo saw Megan and Emma Belton, coached by Danae McGregor, placed first, with Sarah Mulraney and Danielle Brine, coached by Carly Davey, also competing. Senior calisthenic solos saw Abby Purtell, coached by Cassie Turner, equal third, and Ashlee Hards, coached by Carmel Margaritis, competing.

It was a marvellous competition, and I look forward to joining all the calisthenics teams from all over Australia in Darwin next year for what I know will be another great event. I encourage all members to get involved with their local calisthenics teams. Every club has dozens of competitors and each competitor has a large family backing them.