BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT BCI 57 December 2025 | Page 21

Georgia Godwin strikes gold in artistic gymnastics

with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
Australia continues to shine on the world stage in artistic gymnastics, and few athletes embody that excellence quite like Georgia Godwin. Now 28, the Queenslandborn star has been part of the Gymnastics NSW community at Rooty Hill since 2023 and remains one of the nation’ s most decorated and respected competitors.
Georgia began her gymnastics journey as a three-year-old, quickly showing promise. She claimed the all-around titles at both the 2011 and 2012 Junior Australian Championships before stepping confidently into the senior ranks.
At her senior debut at the 2013 Australian Championships, she finished
Georgia with her gold medal haul. Credit: Australian Gymnastics. third in the all-around, second on vault, fifth on uneven bars, fourth on beam and first on floor- an impressive indication of what was to come. Her international debut followed in 2014 at the prestigious Nadia Comaneci Invitational, where she won gold in both the all-around and the team event.
Her rise continued through multiple state, national and international campaigns. At the 2014 Australian Championships, Georgia secured allaround gold once again, along with podium finishes on vault and floor. She defended her all-around crown at the 2015 Australian Championships and was selected for the 2015 World Championships, helping the Australian team to a fourteenth-place finish in qualifications.
By then, she had firmly established herself as one of Australia’ s most reliable and versatile team members. Georgia’ s achievements on the global stage are equally remarkable. She is the 2018 Commonwealth Games allaround silver medallist and team and uneven bars bronze medallist.
She represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing 37th overall and serving as third reserve for the all-around final. She is also a two-time World Cup silver medallist and dominated the 2021 Australian National Championships, sweeping all gold medals. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she added to her
legacy as all-around and vault champion, along with team, uneven bars and balance beam silver medals.
A career highlight came when Georgia had a skill officially named after her, The Godwin. Added to the International Gymnastics Federation’ s Code of Points in 2023, it is only the fifth time in history that an Australian woman has achieved this honour. Performed on the uneven bars, the move features a clear hip circle forward to handstand with a full 360-degree turn during the handstand phase, known as a Weiler kip. She qualified the move after successfully performing it at both the Tel Aviv and Osijek World Challenge Cups.
In May 2024, Georgia faced a major setback when she suffered a severe Achilles injury requiring surgery, ruling her out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It would be 602 days before she returned to international competition, but her comeback was nothing short of extraordinary.
Competing at an international tournament in Belgium, Georgia delivered world-class routines across every apparatus final she contested. She claimed gold on vault with a score of 13.317, secured another gold on the uneven bars with 13.200, and completed a phenomenal sweep by winning beam with
Georgia Godwin on the balancing bar. Credit: Australian Gymnastics.
13.533. It was a triumphant statement from an athlete who had fought her way back to the top.
Georgia credits her return to the international stage to her family, coach Josh Fabian, the AIS AWTU and the many supporters who stood by her. She described her triple-gold performance on vault, bars and beam as the“ icing on the cake” a moment she will cherish forever.

Quakers Hill Grandstand- a win for the whole community

with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
In the bustling and diverse sporting landscape of Blacktown, where soccer, cricket, basketball, athletics and rugby league all thrive, sits a small club with big ambitions. The Quakers Hill Destroyers Rugby League Football Club may not have the size or profile of the Panthers Juniors’ powerhouse teams, and they are a far cry from the NRL stars who light up TV screens each winter weekend, but like the classic tale of David and Goliath, success doesn’ t always favour the biggest contender, but the one with the most heart.
Founded in 1995, the Destroyers emerged as Quakers Hill began to grow from a developing suburb of 14,630 residents( 1991 census) into a vibrant community of more than 24,600 people
Quakers Hills kids at presentation day, 2025. Images credited to Quakers Hill Destroyers
in the 2021 census. Today, population estimates sit at over 26,300, and the little club continues to grow alongside the suburb it proudly represents.
Waite Reserve, the long-time home of the Destroyers, has been overdue for upgrades, particularly around seating. With the field also used by the local cricket club, school athletics and PSSA sport, along with daily walkers and runners, improved facilities would benefit the entire community and not just the club.
That’ s why the Destroyers put forward a strategic infrastructure application seeking funding for a new grandstand.
“ We want to give the kids a place to play where families can actually sit and enjoy the game,” said Club president Dom Vea.
“ We’ re trying to grow the club, and quality facilities make a huge difference.”
After eight years, the club finally broke back into profit and is seeing strong on-field success. Treasurer Jess said the Destroyers fielded 21 teams in 2025, with more than 270 registered players and over 100 staff and volunteers, from Under 5s through to senior grades.
The club’ s grant application was approved in June 2024 through the Community Building Partnership Program, securing approximately $ 100,000 for the project. Although
New grandstand at Waite Reserve.
the application was initially submitted by the previous executive, the process required coordination with Blacktown City Council. Local MP Warren Kirby stepped in to support the project, helping ensure a smooth and timely approval.
The funding covers all aspects of the upgrade, including concreting, pathways and accessibility features to ensure the grandstands are inclusive for people with mobility needs.
The new seating is expected to be installed before Christmas, with two grandstands positioned near the amenities building. Each structure includes four tiers and measures six metres in length, with three stands available for use. A club working bee of volunteers will
help complete the installation. Jess says the benefits will be immediate and widespread.
“ At the moment, there is nowhere for spectators, especially the elderly, parents or players waiting for their match to sit. This will make Waite Reserve a much more comfortable and welcoming place for our whole community.”
The grandstands will also enhance presentation days, gala days and major events, giving the club facilities that reflect its growth and professionalism.
For the Quakers Hill Destroyers, the grandstand is more than just seating, it’ s a sign of progress, pride and belief in the future of a club that continues to punch well above its weight.
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