Mr ALISTER HENSKENS ( Ku-ring-gai ) ( 15:53 :00 ): I applaud the dedication and skills of a group of young women in the electorate of Ku-ring-gai who this week are representing not only their school and their area but this great State in the exciting and technically challenging sport of rhythmic gymnastics at the national titles being held in Melbourne. Coached by Marija Vuk-Luboya under the watchful eye of Sydney 2000 Olympian Danielle Le Ray, the quintet of Anya Patel, Ella Chapman, Sneha Naidu, Amy Burke and Olivia Owens, all from Ravenswood School for Girls, are the New South Wales champions in the Open Group Ribbon division and are this week at Hisense Arena in Melbourne battling for the national title in that event.

Ella Chapman has a busy week ahead of her, having qualified as the level 7 open State champion—which effectively is the all-around New South Wales individual champion across the rope, hoop, ribbon and clubs disciplines. These girls each train for up to 16 hours a week in this incredibly skilled demanding sport and juggle their training time with their school workload. It is a commendable effort. I wish them every success and I hope they bring home a haul of medals.