Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is one of eight new members to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at an awards celebration held in Melbourne on November 18.
Tesch has represented Australia at seven Paralympic Games – five in wheelchair basketball and two in sailing.
She has won five medals, including two gold.
“This recognition by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is such an honour,” she said.
“It has been so wonderful taking a moment to remember the life I lived before I moved into representing my community in the NSW Parliament.
“Sport has always been more than just the sport for me.
“It is a way of life which teaches self-discipline, competitiveness, fitness, teamwork and leadership.
“But most importantly, sport is about the deep friendships you make smashing goals and working together as a team to achieve what you set your mind to.
“Sport has taught me that no matter what you’re facing in life … with determination and a positive mindset, you can achieve anything.
“Sport has also given me a voice for advocacy and human rights for people with disability.
“I still have such incredible memories of my time representing Australia – in particular, winning silver in front of our home crowd during the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.
“The Sydney Paralympics was an absolute game changer.
“Having our home crowds see people with disability in a different light, as champions and incredible athletes, really changed how a whole generation viewed disability.”
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame recognises Australian athletes who have all achieved excellence at the highest level of their sport, sharing common values of respect, dignity, integrity, courage and humility.
Fellow inductees on November 18 were Mick Fanning, Sally Pearson, Mark Skaife, Karen Murphy, Mark Knowles, Gerry Ryan and Betty Watson.
The 2024 inductees join some of the nation’s biggest sporting names in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, including Sir Donald Bradman, Cathy Freeman, Ian Thorpe, Rod Laver, Louise Sauvage, Greg Norman, Lauren Jackson and many more.