National Calisthenic Championships

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:33): I am delighted to bring to the house a report on the 26^th National Calisthenic Championships held in Melbourne's Hamer Hall from 9-12 July. Many were doubters, but we filled that vast hall on at least a couple of days with the families and supporters of the hundreds of competitors from all over the nation.

This prestigious event held in equally magnificent surroundings was a showcase for the wonderful talent that exists at all levels of this marvellous sport which, while almost exclusively taken up by girls, this year enthusiastically embraced the sole male competitor from the Northern Territory.

I must commend the Australian Calisthenics Federation President, Liz Kratzel, and her entire team including Director of Planning and National Committee Convenor, Lynne Hayward, along with the Victorian organising committee too numerous to mention, led by CVI President, Angela Wijeratne and a special mention to mentor, Joy Smith.

The opening ceremony acknowledged traditional owners and sessions were attended by special guests including Victorian Minister for Sport, the Hon. Damian Drum, Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley and Hon. Heidi Victoria, Minister for Arts, Women's Affairs and Consumer Affairs along with CVI ambassador, Helen Richey, of Dancing with the Stars fame who is a celebrated competitive ballroom and Latin champion, and a two-time inductee of the dancing Hall of Fame. I was privileged to be given the significant honour of opening a session, no doubt in my role as national co-patron.

Calisthenics is a spectacular sport undertaken widely throughout Australia, except in Tasmania, where we are yet to make a significant inroad, with New South Wales another state where we would like to see greater participation. Special guest performers Soul Mystique were amazed by the skills and depth to our showcase event and will no doubt spread the word about the entertainment value of calisthenics, where our competitors can easily take it up for fun or take it up more seriously so their skills can easily be transferred to other disciplines such as dance or aerobics.

Because calisthenics provides enthusiasts with lifelong skills in many areas while bringing to their full potential the talents that each boy or girl possesses, it promotes a strong and healthy lifestyle and discipline and friendships which stand the test of time, with many cali competitors maintaining their interest and pursuit into the masters category with the Pan Pacific Masters Games to be held later this year on the Gold Coast, on Wednesday 5 November, which is Guy Fawkes’ Day.

Here in South Australia calisthenics has given me many happy and fulfilling opportunities and memories, and I thank the calisthenics community in every capacity for welcoming me, someone who has never pulled on lycra—

Mr Gardner: There’s always a chance to do it a first time.

Ms BEDFORD: Don’t push it—or even sewn on a sequin, and for volunteering their time to give their young people such great opportunities. The Calisthenics Association of South Australia has bestowed on me the great honours of life member and state patron, two of the most prized achievements of my public life which, despite not contributing as much as many others, I have accepted as really undeserved recognition for a gladly-given commitment to a sport which I am proud to recommend to everyone as a family-friendly activity that is worthwhile on many levels.

While as national patron I cannot be partisan, it gives me great pleasure to put on record the results of the four day elite competition. In the sub juniors section, South Australia was placed first, WA second, Victoria third, and the ACT fourth. In juniors, South Australia was first, WA second, Victoria third and Queensland fourth, just in front of the teams from the ACT and the Northern Territory. In the intermediate section, WA was first, South Australia second, Victoria third and the Northern Territory fourth. In seniors, South Australia prevailed, with Victoria second, WA third and the ACT fourth. This means, of course, that South Australia becomes the national champion for the year.

In single and duo competitions, South Australia was well represented in the placings throughout. Thanks to all adjudicators and writers; their tasks are vital, valued and essential in this sport. Thanks also to all the great sponsors. Without them, women’s sport, particularly sports like calisthenics, would not even be noticed at a national level. Thanks, too, to SA state president, John Maguire, and his backstage crew, including George, Mark and Paul. They work tirelessly for their daughters in their chosen sport.

I would also like to thank Bev Daysh and Carolyn Fortune for looking after me, as well as a myriad of other tasks for the Calisthenics Association of South Australia while they were there. I also thank the coaches, support staff, team managers, chaperones and costume creators. I would just like to put on the record that our sub junior coach this year was Nikki Ianunzio. Her assistants were Keron White, Kayla Kearney and Kylie Kurylowicz.

Our junior team was coached by Melissa Daysh, assisted by Sarah Stephenson and Lauren Williams. Our intermediate coach was Rebecca Norsworthy. Amy-Louise Vettese and Amy Hofmeyer assisted in that section. Our senior coach was Cassie Turner, assisted by Danae McGregor. It would be remiss of me not to put on record their thanks to Karen Darby for her sensational march routine.

Without seeing calisthenics, members, you just cannot possibly appreciate the sport and the opportunities and entertainment value it has, so I urge everyone to get behind their local club. There are many all over South Australia, and I look forward to seeing you at competitions shortly.