It was certainly a humbling moment to be in the company of so many home-grown elite sports stars in Wollongong today.

Looking around, I was so honoured to see so many Illawarra sporting heroes proud to be in Wollongong for well-deserved acknowledgement of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic achievements.

Telaya Blacksmith, Sarah Carli, Ellen Perez, Luke Pople, Saya Sakakibara, Brendon Smith and, Australia’s greatest Olympian, Emma McKeon were all gathered in Wollongong for the unveiling of the updated Illawarra Olympic Tribute Wall in Lang Park. The wall features all 22 names of those who represented the Illawarra in Paris.

I also took the opportunity on behalf of the City to congratulate Emma McKeon on her retirement from competitive swimming, thank her for representing Wollongong so graciously on the world stage and wish her every success for the future.

Whilst Wollongong City Council is the custodian of the Illawarra Olympic Tribute Wall, I noted that it honours athletes not only from our city, but also from Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee.

It is a space that acknowledges the hard work and determination of these individuals and their supporters as they pursue, and achieve, their dreams.

It’s also a space to inspire a new generation of athletes who can look at the names upon the wall – including that of cyclist Dunc Grey who represented Australia in 1928 in Amsterdam – and be motivated to train hard to wear the green and gold and represent their country.

What I particularly love about this wall is the diversity of sporting codes represented. Even in the new names revealed today, we’ve got tennis players, BMX riders, athletes and para-athletes, wheelchair basketballers and swimmers. This captures the passions of our sporting community, and all of us who cheer them on.

Congratulations to all those involved in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games who now have your name on this wall. Thank you for your hard work and tenacity, and I hope you know just how proud the Illawarra community is of you as you fulfilled your sporting dreams.

I look forward to more additions from Los Angeles 2028.