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- 25 February 2004
Johnny Warren Indoor Sports Centre
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Mr KEVIN GREENE (Georges River) [5.04 p.m.]: Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the opening of Hurstville City Council's new indoor sports centre. At that function council named the indoor sports complex in honour of one of Australia's greatest sportsmen—a man who represented the St George district on 297 occasions—former Australian soccer captain Mr Johnny Warren. Johnny was captain of the Australian Socceroos from 1965 to 1971 in two World Cup campaigns. After suffering a serious injury he returned to the Australian side to be a member of the 1974 World Cup finalists—the only time Australia has made Soccer World Cup finals.
Johnny represented Australia on more than 60 occasions, including 44 full internationals, so it was fitting that Hurstville City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Vince Badalati, chose to name the centre in his honour. Alan Jones, AM, well-known radio broadcaster and great sports lover, was a guest speaker. He spoke brilliantly and was able to incorporate his great knowledge of sport and sportspeople, including many representatives from the St George district who were also in attendance on the day. Across a great variety of sports the St George district has had in excess of 200 internationals represent Australia, 60 of whom were in attendance.
The function catered for more than 560 people. Some of the notable sportspeople in attendance included rugby league immortals Johnny Raper and Graham Langlands, international tennis superstar Ken Rosewall and former world record athlete Alby Thomas. It was also great to see Basil Dickerson, the only remaining member of the 1936 Australian Olympic team and former St George representative, who now lives in Springwood. Apologies were received from Michelle Ford, who unfortunately could not attend. Michelle is another example of the fine quality of representation at the Australian level from the St George district. It was also pleasing to see people of the calibre of Doug Utjesenovic and George Harris, who were compatriots of Johnny Warren. They were pleased to see their former teammate honoured in this manner.
In particular, I thank Les Murray from SBS and Michael Tomolaris, who made a video presentation of Johnny Warren's contribution to Australian sport. A second video outlined the significant contribution of St George sports stars. I also thank the sponsors of the function and the Sports Expo, which took place in the indoor stadium over the Saturday and Sunday. The sponsorship meant that Hurstville City Council did not incur any costs for the entire weekend's celebrations. In particular, I note the contributions of platinum sponsors Westfield Hurstville, LeisureCo., the managers of the complex, and Dominelli Sutherland. I acknowledge also the support given by the gold sponsors Buildcorp, and the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, which featured a 16-page article in last Thursday's edition. I thank also Hancock Alldis, lawyers, which this year celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary in Hurstville, and Penshurst RSL.
The community was well represented by local organisations and executives of sporting groups as well as school principals and parents. I acknowledge the work of Barry Fisk, Phil Bates and the director of service delivery at Hurstville City Council, Victor Lampe. I acknowledge also the magnificent efforts of Mayor Vince Badalati to ensure that the function was a wonderful success. On the day it was announced that Ken Rosewall, another local St George boy whose father owned grocery stores in Penshurst, the heart of the Hurstville council area, would be honoured this Saturday by Hurstville City Council, which will name its eight-court tennis complex in Roberts Avenue, Peakhurst the Ken Rosewall Tennis Centre.
Those present when the announcements were made were appreciative of the fact that it was not only Johnny Warren who was recognised by Hurstville City Council but also Ken Rosewall, one of the world's greatest tennis players, who won eight grand slam tennis singles events and nine grand slam doubles events in a career that lasted in excess of 20 years at the top of his sport. I thank Mayor Vince Badalati and Hurstville City Council for their efforts in this regard.
Ms ALISON MEGARRITY (Menai—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.09 p.m.]: I join the honourable member in congratulating Hurstville City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Vince Badalati, and the staff of the council on opening this significant facility for the community. I know that the honourable member for Georges River was very busy that day because prior to that function he joined his colleagues and me at the launch of the Great Kai'mia Way, a project into which he had enormous input. Despite the hot weather he put every effort into both functions and I join him in congratulating the community. I am sure that the sporting facility will benefit it for many years.
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