NED SUTHERLAND

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Congratulations to Rutherford Technology High School's Ned Sutherland whose talent and skills were honoured at The Hunter Sports Awards in Williamtown in December. Ned has always been athletic and active since he was a child and he said he started getting serious about his athletics when he started in high school. Ned's teacher at Rutherford Technology High School, Miss Buckton noticed Ned was quite talented in the field of athletics and encouraged him to compete at school where he excelled. Ned said he didn't realise how far athletics could take him. Last year, Ned was the age champion in swimming, athletics and cross country, and was also part of the school cricket team. Ned qualified for the national all schools athletics carnival which was held in Perth in December, the first ever Rutherford Technology High School student to qualify for nationals. At the recent Hunter Sports Awards Ned received an award for his performance in Athletics and an additional medal for the Premier's Sporting Challenge Multi Class. Congratulations Ned.