Ms BYRNES (Cunningham) (13:33): This year the Fernhill Foxes Football Club are celebrating an incredible milestone: 100 years of football in the Illawarra. In 1925, the club kicked off their first game on 28 March, setting in motion a century of sporting excellence and community spirit. The 1926 season saw the club secure not one but three trophies, which was a sensational start for the newly established team.

The decades that followed were filled with remarkable achievements, including the club's golden era in the early 1950s, which saw the club collect one shield and two cups and win two grand finals.The Illawarra Premier League was established in 1977, and the Foxes were fortunate enough to be accepted into this new competition and also establish their women's side later that year.

Again, the decades that followed the late seventies were filled with more accolades for both men's and women's sides. In 2024, the Fernhill third division team were crowned league champions and went on to win the grand final. The men's team are chasing a historic Illawarra district league third grand final win after winning the grand final in both 2023 and 2024. In what is already an important year in your proud history, I wish you all the best for this season.

Thank you to life member Justin Norris for compiling the Foxes' history, which is no easy job. Congratulations to president Murray Walker, secretary Shane Howard, past and present committee members, life members, past and present players and all of your volunteers on reaching 100 years.