Federal Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, welcomed young athletes to the McEwen electorate office recently to congratulate them on their successful application for federal government funding to keep chasing their sporting dreams.
Zac Nunn of Wallan, who competed at the 2025 Australian Junior Athletics Championships in April was a successful recipient of a Local Sporting Champions Grant to assist with competition costs.
The Local Sporting Champions (LSC) and Local Para Champion (LPC) grants program provides financial assistance of $500-$1000 for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.
Zac and his family described the grants program as ‘extremely helpful.’
“Some of the expenses for travel are huge. Even just the cost of getting to training in a week can see us spend a couple of hundred dollars on fuel,” he said.
Zac attends Wallan Secondary College and is also a member of the Whittlesea Athletics Club. He is a jack of all trades competing in discuss, shotput, high jump, 200m, 1500m ,100m hurdles and the heptathlon.
This can also add to expenses with additional training for each event which sees Zac training every day of the week and five of those at Epping.
Zac has competed at a national level in the heptathlon and triple jump and his goal is to represent his country at the Olympics.
Local athletes from Mernda and Doreen were also celebrated.
Alexander Ellul of Mernda, who competed at the 2025 ICF Junior and U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in Slovenia, was a successful recipient of a Local Sporting Champions Grant to assist with competition costs.
“In this competition, it isn’t feasible to send a boat overseas so we have to purchase one that is of competition standard over there and that is on top of travel and accommodation expenses.” he said.
“There are not that many places in Australia where we can compete and even practise so a lot of travel and cost is involved in this sport.”
Alexander,16 attends Ivanhoe Grammar School, which is where he was introduced to the sport via a year seven kayak course.
Dillon Vidanapathirana of Doreen is another successful local recipient and received funding under the Local Para Champion grant program.
Dillon, 21 competes in the T20 disability classification in athletics in 100m, 400m and 800m and medalled in all events at the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Australian Open Track and Field Championships in WA in April.
Dillon is also a member of the Diamond Valley Athletics Club and has represented Australia at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji.
“These young athletes are our Olympians of the future and it is a pleasure to be able to assist them and their families realise their dreams,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The cost of travel, even just everyday travel to training can be tough for many families and help with the costs of attending events ensures these talented young people can keep striving for their goals.”
