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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-07-22 Daily Xml
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CALISTHENICS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:46): Following the very successful 19th national championships held in Adelaide in 2007, the Australian Calisthenics Federation's 20th nationals have just finished in Perth. Held between 17 and 20 July at Burswood, where we shared star billing with the South African Springboks—

The Hon. S.W. KEY: Madam Deputy Speaker, I draw to the attention of the house the fact that no-one from the opposition is present. I am wondering why that would be the case.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Ms BEDFORD: 'Do we care?' is the question. We are in charge; we are from the government. We are here to help. Ivan's back. Staged by the Calisthenics Association of Western Australia, it was my pleasure, honour and privilege to attend in my role as the state patron of the Calisthenics Association of South Australia and also as co-Australian Calisthenics Federation national patron along with Mr Bill Scott, who is also from South Australia.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate the President of the Calisthenics Association of Western Australia, Kerry Fullarton, and her national organising committee, convened by Carolyn Selby, for the successful staging of what has been overwhelming hailed as a wonderful event. There were some 35 people on the committee assisted by many others, all acting in a voluntary capacity, to ensure the smooth running of the competition, and we thank them all.

The opening ceremony involved 125 calisthenics performers and was truly spectacular. Competitors from all over Australia—South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and, after an absence of some 12 years, a team from New South Wales—were welcomed by the Western Australian sports and recreation minister, the Hon. John Kobelke.

The ACF is one of the most professionally run sporting bodies I have ever been aware of. It is vigorously led by Lynne Hayward and her committee along with delegates from all states and territories, who meet regularly to look at all facets of the sport and work tirelessly towards bringing all states (especially New South Wales and Tasmania, where we have a bit of work to do yet) into a strong federation promoting this women's sport. Calisthenics is truly a wonderful sport and, while it is dangerous to mention only a few names in such a vibrant organisation, I would like to particularly acknowledge the Director of Competitions, Liz Kratzel, and ACF EO Carmel Bates, for their work over the weekend and in guiding the sport. Calisthenics has a proud heritage and tradition, which is witnessed by the now 12 life members, who are also an important part of the sport's future.

Where and how does calisthenics fit into Australia's sporting life? When one considers the participation of 12,000 people (mostly girls, in our case) in any national sport, one will begin to appreciate the benefits. Healthy lifestyles are encouraged and every person is valued. It is a sport where participation is the consideration and not concentration on body image or type. Discipline, physical wellbeing, deportment and confidence are all results of being a calisthenics girl, and lifelong friendships are forged.

Through the nationals, competitors have the opportunity to compete at an elite level and ideas are both shared and born. In looking for ways for the sport to grow, it has been interesting to see how other sports became part of both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games and the difficulties minor sports face in obtaining a share of media recognition and the funding that is today so necessary to prosper.

Getting back to the weekend's competition, I am happy to provide some of the results to the house. The senior Graceful Girl solo was won by Chloe Templeman of South Australia, coached by Barbara Prizrenac. Chloe is the first calisthenics competitor to win solos at junior, intermediate and senior levels, which is a fine reward for a lifetime commitment. South Australia's Melissa Ianunzio, coached by Cassie Turner, won the senior calisthenics solo competition, and congratulations go to her and other South Australian entrants placed in both the solo and duo sections.

Teams compete in four sections: sub-juniors, juniors, intermediates and seniors. South Australia's sub-junior team swept to an emphatic win, coached by Nikki Ianunzio and assisted by Melissa Maeder. These outstanding 20 young competitors won all five sections against teams from Victoria and Western Australia. In juniors, Victoria won, with South Australia a deserving second, their best result for some years. South Australia's 21-strong intermediate team was coached by Tracey Emes and assisted by Lorinda Brooking, Rebecca Williams and Merrin Holst, as well. Intermediates were second overall to Western Australia, with Victoria and the ACT in a close fought competition. Kate Loveridge, assisted by Megan Dubieniecki, did a magnificent job in another close contest.

Seniors is arguably the most anticipated section, with wonderful routines in all six disciplines. Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales competed, with South Australia narrowly edged out by Victoria. Our coach, Cassie Turner (soon to be delivered of the third generation of calisthenic girls in her family) was ably assisted by her mother Kay Smith, who was responsible for the spectacular opening ceremony here in 2007. Our team of 20 girls was right in the competition until the final section.

These nationals were a wonderfully even event, although South Australia won all the marches. This bodes well for the 21st nationals to be held on the Gold Coast in 2009. Queensland (as host state) will then be part of the competition, no doubt in record numbers. The logistics required for calisthenics is awesome and awe-inspiring. I would particularly like to thank CASA State President, Darren Emes; ACF and CASA life member, David Hooper; and administrators extraordinaire, CASA EO, Beverley Daysh and Jan Tinker-Casson for their acceptance and support of me as I learn and work with them, particularly on the restoration of the Royalty Theatre.

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