General News
13 March, 2026
Carr honoured at parliament
Valued community members from across the state were awarded for a vast range of International Women’s Day Honours, with Maryborough local Heather Carr representing the seat of Ripon.
To mark International Women’s Day this year, Member for Ripon Martha Haylett recently invited local community sport leader Ms Carr to State Parliament.
Ms Carr is one of many com-munity members who has advocated over many years for upgraded tennis facilities in Maryborough, efforts that were acknowledged by Ms Haylett on the day.
“Women are the backbone of community sport, they’re so often the ones behind the scenes making sure things run smoothly, taking on tasks, and turning up week after week,” she said.
“Women like Heather Carr. Heather has committed decades to Maryborough Tennis Club and Taekwondo, giving up endless hours to make sure local kids can play the sports they love. It was wonderful to host Heather in parliament to celebrate International Women’s Day and to recognise her incredible role in community sport.
“I also want to acknowledge the role all women play in their local sporting communities, you do so much and all our clubs are better off because of your efforts.”
One of five women selected from the seat of Ripon to attend the event, packed full of other guests, those attending toured parliament, and had the opportunity to network and discuss the role of women in sport.
Ms Carr was deeply humbled to receive the recognition, but said the true heroes in community sport are the women volunteering yet not always be recognised.
“It was just a humbling opportunity to be there to represent particularly the Goldfields region, I had the opportunity to talk about other issues in Maryborough sporting facilites, its good to have those real conversations ... I was just honoured to be there representing the Ripon electorate.”
“There are so many women that volunteer their time and are not acknowledged, I don’t need to be acknowledged, I do what I do because I love it, ” she said.
“It’s not all about me, I was just honoured to be asked.”