Back To News
More than 100 guests including Paralympians, Olympians and alumni came together on Tuesday to celebrate the Parliamentary Friends of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
The WA Parliamentary Friendship Group is co-chaired by the Hon Samantha Rowe MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture and the Arts; Sport and Recreation and Mr Peter Rundle MLA, Shadow Minister for Sports and Recreation.
The group promotes and champions the positive impact Olympic and Paralympic sports generate throughout WA communities.
The event at Parliament House in Perth included Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh and Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman as well as a wide range of sport, community, business and government representatives, looking forward to the teams departing for Paris later this year.
Tokyo bronze medallist in women’s discus F64, Sarah Edmiston took part in a panel alongside two-time Olympian and Hockeyroo Grace Stwart.
Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh said the Paralympic Movement was thankful for the support.
“Hosting this event is a strong statement of belief in our Australian Paralympic Team and the power of sport to create meaningful change across society as we prepare for Paris 2024 and beyond,” she said.
“We are grateful to the Parliamentary Friends Group who share Paralympics Australia’s vision for a fair and equitable sporting system, in which everyone has the chance to participate in sport and realise their potential.
“The work of parliamentary members, in their electorates and in Parliament, helps shine a light on our athletes and helps advocacy for inclusion, accessibility and enhanced participation opportunities in sport and beyond.”
The WA Parliamentary Friendship Group will work together towards community and sporting outcomes, including:
- encouraging participation in sport across the state, promoting the wide-ranging benefits sport can bring to all WA residents;
- promoting the fundamental principles and values of Olympism and Paralympism, particularly in the fields of sport, health and education;
- promoting the practice of sport as a human right, without discrimination of any kind, with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play; and
- recognising the heritage, culture and contribution of our nation’s First People, and to give practical support to the issue of Indigenous reconciliation through sport.
The event follows a record investment by the WA Government of $375,000 for the Australian Paralympic Team Appeal Campaign, matching the level of funding provided for their Olympic counterparts.
In addition, every West Australian athlete selected will receive a $5,000 grant to assist with preparations and another $333,250 was committed to the Western Australian Institute of Sport for specific programs.
The next big event in the state will be the Western Australia’s Premier’s Olympic and Paralympic Farewell Dinner on July 5, with tables available for sale here.
By Natalie McGarry, Paralympics Australia.
Published: 23 April, 2024.
