POLITICS
Celebrating our next generation of
sporting champions with Julian Leeser MP
As a community, we take immense pride in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our young people.
Recently, I had the honour of hosting an awards ceremony recognising the exceptional accomplishments of our Local Sporting Champions and Local Para Champions, who have excelled in their sports at state, national, and international competitions.
Our local champions were also able to hear from our local Olympian and world renowned softballer, Ellen Roberts, who provided an insight into their future trajectory as an athlete based off her own local experience and left some inspiring words of advice to ensure these local champions continue to excel into the future. These inspiring young individuals include: Local Sporting Champions:
• Lachlan Donoghue and Marcus Morsink who competed at the 2025 Football Australia National Futsal Championships
• Makenzi Gartner who swam at the 2025 Australian Age Swimming Championships
• Vera Gerasimova who swam at the 2025 Synchronised Swimming Australian National Championships
• Hannah Lemus Gonetskaya who competed at the 2024 Australian Figure Skating Championship
Julian with softballer Ellen Roberts( far left) and recipients.
• Hayley Paterson who competed in the 2025 Australian Underwater Hockey Championships
• Junqi Zheng and Thomas Abbott who swam in the 2025 Australian Open Water Championships
• Gary Zhu who competed in the 2025 Musto Australian Optimist Championship
• Hannah Croker, Travis Leadbeatter and Kamran Norgard, who competed in the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships
• Evie Moore-Mulcahy who competed I the Australian Track and Field Championships
• Jamie Lau who competed in the U16 Girls National Softball Championships
• Mason Li who competed in the 78th Australian Dancesport Championship Local Para Champions:
• Tallow Ra who will compete in the 2025 Junior Wheelchair National Championships
• Maddison Hinds who swam in the 2025 Para Swimming World Series Australia and the Swimming Australia Open and Para National Championships 2025. Their dedication, perseverance, and remarkable talent set a powerful example for all young people in our community.
Encouraging and supporting the involvement of young people in sports is vital— not just for their individual development but also for promoting teamwork, discipline, and overall community wellbeing.
Congratulations again to all recipients— your dedication, perseverance, and remarkable talent inspire our community, and highlight the importance of supporting youth sports to keep our community spirit strong.
Balcombe Heights sensory garden to honour long-serving Hills volunteer
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A new sensory garden at Balcombe Heights Estate could soon bear the name of a long-time Hills Shire volunteer, Connie Keith, in recognition of her decades of service.
The Hills Shire Council has proposed naming the garden‘ The Connie Anne Keith Sensory Garden’ and is inviting residents to share their feedback.
Ms Keith has been a passionate advocate for Balcombe Heights Estate since 2006, first representing a local pottery group before becoming Chair of
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the Balcombe Heights Estate Committee. In this role, she has worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance the estate for the benefit of the entire community among other volunteering initiatives.
Mayor of The Hills Shire Council, Dr Michelle Byrne, encouraged residents to have their say on the proposal.
“ This is a wonderful opportunity to honour Ms Keith for her invaluable contributions over the past two decades,” Mayor Byrne said.
“ The new Sensory Garden represents
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an extraordinary initiative that will significantly enrich the experience of visitors and patrons at Balcombe Heights Estate, including Hills Community Care, Hills Community Aid, and Woodbury Autism Education.
“ I wish to extend my gratitude to Connie for her unwavering dedication to The Hills throughout the years. Her tireless advocacy and vision have transformed Balcombe Heights Estate into a remarkable haven that benefits our entire community.”
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Ms Keith spearheaded efforts to establish the Sensory Garden, envisioning it as a space for reflection, inclusivity, and mental wellbeing— especially for people with disability. Her advocacy helped secure NSW Government funding through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program to commemorate the site’ s centenary.
Residents can provide feedback on the proposed name by visiting the‘ Have Your Say’ page on Council’ s website, www. thehills. nsw. gov. au.
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18 ISSUE 118 // APRIL 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT