THIS weekend is grand final weekend in the Sunraysia Football Netball League and the North Central Football, Netball and Hockey League.
It’s the culmination of a season’s worth of hard work, grit, sacrifice, and above all, teamwork. Every player knows that while individual brilliance can win a moment, it’s the team that wins the premiership.
That same team spirit is what drives me every day as your representative in the Victorian Parliament.
Just like Irymple, Mildura, Birchip, the Calder Lions, or whichever club is yours, the Nationals are a team, and we’re playing for you.
The Nats understand the importance of playing our role, backing each other in, and keeping our eye on the scoreboard: delivering real results for the people we represent.
On the netball court, defenders, mid-courters and shooters all have different jobs.
On the football field, you wouldn’t have a gun midfielder do the job of a full back, but when everyone plays their role, inch by inch, trusts one another, minute after minute and puts the team first every time, that’s when the magic happens.
In politics it’s no different. My role is to stand tall for the electorate, to fight for equity in health, education, roads and services.
I do that best as part of a strong Nationals team that is solely dedicated to country Victoria.
Grand finals also remind us of the pride a community feels when the team runs out in their colours. When I rise to speak in the Parliament, I carry the colours of our region with me.
It’s not about me. It’s about you. About your family. It’s about the future of your kids pulling on a jumper or bib at Mildura, Ouyen, Robinvale, Charlton or Birchip into the future.
So, as you cheer on your team this weekend, know that I’ll keep running out for you too. And together, just like our grand finalists, we’ll keep striving for the ultimate prize: the win.
When team Nats win, we all do, with a stronger, fairer future for regional Victoria.
Best of luck to everyone running out today. Thank you to the teams of volunteers that make it all possible and may the best team win.
