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- 5 May 2005
St Marys Rugby League Club 2005 Season Launch
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Page: 15814
Mr ALLAN SHEARAN (Londonderry) [5.10 p.m.]: Recently I had the privilege to formally launch the St Mary's Rugby League Club 2005 season. My wife and I were delighted to have the opportunity to share with the club and its guests the launch of the 2005 season at a gala event of hospitality and entertainment. The master of ceremonies, Mark Kristian, introduced us to a night of entertainers which included the Popset Dancers, comedian Bruno Lucia, and Lisa Crouch and the "Dig This" Trio, along with a wonderful young singer by the name of Natalie Colauto, a talented local person who I am sure will have a great future in the entertainment industry.
Over the years the St Marys Rugby League Club has become very successful. Although it is a young club, in a short time it has become a very significant part of the community. It is a quality facility that provides a relaxing environment, great food, and fantastic entertainment for its members and guests. Importantly, it serves as a club that fosters the development of young rugby league talent. As a rugby league club it supports local youth in the game and has a very successful relationship with Penrith Panthers. The St Marys Cougars are evidence of this success, as is clearly illustrated by their involvement in the Premier League supporting the Penrith Panthers. Currently the Penrith Panthers first grade National Rugby League [NRL] team displays the emblem of the St Marys Rugby League Club on their sleeves, a fitting support for the club and also recognition of the contribution St Marys Rugby League Club makes to the game of rugby league.
The club thrives in an area that could be regarded as a rugby league nursery for a competition that is recognised to be the toughest in the world. Normally on such a night the club president, Warren Smith, would be present to welcome the members and guests, but unfortunately he was hospitalised. I know he would usually make every effort to be in attendance and was most upset when the doctors would not give him the all clear. Warren is one of those few men who can be described as "nature's gentleman". He is committed, caring and generally an all-round good bloke. It is a couple of weeks since I spoke to him but he is out of hospital recuperating and I certainly wish him a speedy recovery.
Last year the club hosted the Australian Schoolboys Championships and in doing so it was able to put not only St Marys on the map but also Western Sydney. The club was able to show how effective it can be and to display the great facilities it has at St Marys. I believe this national event was very successful, and showed that the club members can be very good ambassadors for Western Sydney. During the gala season launch, I had the opportunity to meet the club's newly appointed chief executive officer, Mr Rod Desborough. He informed me that he had grown up in St Marys and had gained extensive experience in various areas of the club industry over a number of years. I understand that he is also on the executive of Clubs NSW. Rod was delighted to return to familiar surroundings and I feel that both his background and experience will be a great asset to the club. I certainly wish him every success.
I am pleased to report that although the St Marys club is primarily focused on its role in promoting rugby league, it is also heavily involved in many community activities. The club is very conscious of the contribution it can make and this is evidenced by its involvement in the construction of a new St Marys North Neighbourhood Centre. This million-dollar-plus project was initiated by Penrith City Council and I am proud to say the State Government has provided some significant assistance—almost $300,000, for which I was pleased to negotiate on behalf of council. The centre is currently under construction and when completed in the near future it will provide properly resourced community services for the residents of north St Marys and surrounding areas. The St Marys Rugby League Club donated $20,000 towards the fit-out of that worthy project.
The St Marys Rugby League Club is a great local club. It has popular and successful local sporting teams, particularly in rugby league. However, behind every successful team there are a lot of workers. In St Marys we have champion coaches, champion trainers, champion families and friends, champion supporters and, thanks to Warren Smith and the board of directors, a champion club which has developed champion local players, thereby contributing to the future of the Penrith Rugby League team in the NRL. Apart from what the St Marys Rugby League Club provides to its teams, it is always out there developing new ideas and incentives to ensure the survival of a growing club in an ever-changing environment. That does not happen by chance; it happens because there is a focused and committed board. On and off the field I am confident the combination of all these factors will lead to a successful and memorable 2005 championship year, with many more to come, and a continually prosperous club.
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