I was honoured to recently attend the annual Magpies Sports Awards held at Wests Ashfield. Community sports bridge social divides, encourage lifelong friendships, and contribute to a healthy, connected, and resilient local culture. We are so fortunate in the inner west to have such a vibrant local sporting community. These awards celebrate and reward the outstanding achievements of sporting organisations, competitors, and volunteers within the community. Congratulations to all the individuals and teams who were nominated – this is a wonderful recognition of your dedication, commitment and talent. Thank you to the many parents, carers, coaches and supporters who have provided a taxi service, washed kit, ran the canteen or picked up any of the countless jobs that need to be done to make local sports happen. Congratulations to the winners on the night: Timothy Hodge – Magpie Award, Sienna Toohey – Magpie Junior Award, Alan Hill – Magpie Volunteer, Ashfield Cricket Club Seniors 4th Grade – Magpie Team (Senior), Emily McHale, Samantha Hutton, Elise Tran-Dinh – Magpie Team (Junior), Frances Walsh – Director's Encouragement Award.