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Football Teams

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Sport and Recreation) (4.47): I suppose Mr Moore jogged my memory there. He does not make a bad front row forward, actually. He packed in there quite well as a prop, and the Chief Minister did an admirable job hanging between Mr Moore and me in the hooking position. On the matter Mr Moore raised, congratulations are certainly due to the Canberra Kookaburras on winning in second grade and in first grade getting to the grand final - a truly excellent effort in their first year in the AAMI competition, which is a major competition. I think all of Canberra can be very proud of what they have done, and it was very appropriate that the Chief Minister of this Assembly hosted a function for them. On that subject, Ms McRae indicated that she was missed out, and I will certainly take that up to make sure that things like that do not happen again. I would have thought everyone would have been invited to that function. Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Ms McRae. You should have gatecrashed it! I will make sure that things like that do not happen again. It was very appropriate to congratulate the Kookaburras on such an excellent effort.

Might I say that in the coming Winfield Cup grand final on the weekend the best team in the competition unfortunately will not be playing, but I am sure that all of Canberra will applaud Tim Sheens and his team on their efforts this year. Many members of the Canberra public have enjoyed the excellent displays out at the Bruce Stadium over the year.

Mrs Carnell: Ossie’s team won.

MR STEFANIAK: Indeed. While we are on congratulations, congratulations to the only member of this Assembly still playing very high level competitive sport, Mr Osborne, who has not lost any of his ball skills, for West Belconnen's excellent 26-14 win over Queanbeyan Blues. It was an excellent effort. Mr Osborne did not leave the field very often either. I think he had a couple of breathers and that was about it. He showed a bit of pace and some excellent skills. Well done, Mr Osborne.

Football Teams

MR OSBORNE (4.49): I must say that I am disappointed that both Mr Moore and Mr Stefaniak have jumped the gun on me. I would like to echo Mr Stefaniak's words and congratulate the Kookaburras on a very successful season. We do not appreciate how hard it must have been for them going into their first year and doing so well, with their reserve grade winning the competition and their first grade playing so well. Also, congratulations should go to West Belconnen. I did look after the five local members out there. I tried my best. Finally, on the Raiders, obviously something was missing from last year. I do not know what it was. I just could not quite put my finger on it, but they certainly were not the same side as last year. It was a great effort, and unfortunately the best side will not be there. I just hope that Manly gets smashed.

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