Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Members statements

Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival

Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:42): Last Sunday Scotland came to Croydon with the celebration of the Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Eastfield Park. This event has been held every year since 1967. It varies locations across the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. This year international athletes competed in the International Heavy Games Championships from Japan, the Netherlands, Scotland, the United States and of course Australia. This was made possible through the support of the Allan Labor government, which contributed $37,500 to the event. As a long-time supporter of the women’s heavy games, I can say it was fantastic to see national and international records tumble.

A special mention and congratulations go to the following athletes: firstly, Australian athlete Lily Riley, for setting a new Australian record in the women’s open category in both the weight over bar and the heavy hammer throw; a fantastic effort by Teresa Nystrom from the USA, breaking multiple world records in the women’s masters 50 -plus lightweight category in the heavy hammer, light hammer, weight over bar, light stone and Braemar stone. Honourable mentions go to the women athletes: Brooke, Carly, Heather, Kel, Laura, Liz, Melanie, Red, Sarah, Stacey and Susan. You did everybody proud on the day.

The men’s heavy events were also spectacular, with barrel carnage that occurred along the way, and I commend Brock, Robbie, Cam, Chase, both Craigs, David, Eddie, Iain, Jeremy, Kengo, Lachlan, Lee, Lance, Macauley, both Marks, Neil, both Nicks, Rodney, Sean, Teade and Travis for their amazing displays of strength. I also thank the International Highland Games Federation president Francis Brebner and the International Highland Games Federation Australian representative and Highland Muscle founder Rob Mitchell for bringing international athletes to the heavy games and for making them a success. I congratulate the organisers and volunteers for bringing together yet another successful festival, and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.