Russell Grundy

Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie)—I want to acknowledge the outstanding contributions that two-time Australian skateboarding champion Russell Grundy from Morisset Park has made to the sport internationally, nationally and at home in Lake Macquarie. At a local level, Russell has drawn on his professional skateboarding experience to help design local skateparks, run community skatepark activations, mentor youth, coach, run skateboard competitions, and work with local companies to provide free skateboards for youth who had shown great initiative. During 2022 Russell held 14 youth activation events at local skateparks around Lake Macquarie, travelled around Australia judging national competitions, and travelled to Italy as the Oceania representative judge for the 2024 Olympics pathway program held by World Skate. It should be noted that he accomplished all of this while having three children at home and a full-time job. Russell is a mentor to budding skateboarders, teaching not only skills but also the importance of having respect for our public skateparks so they can be enjoyed for years to come. It's hardly surprising that Russell was named the 2023 Lake Mac Sports Leader at the recent Lake Mac Awards. I congratulate him and thank him for his efforts.