Recognising a Rising Western Downs Athlete
Monique Smith is a dedicated Western Downs athlete that has been consistently selected to represent Queensland across multiple sports.
She is a Queensland Volleyball Champion who has proudly competed at the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships for several years. Her commitment to both her sport and team is evident. She regularly travels to train with her team in order to gain competitive experience and further develop her skills.
She also excels at handball, a sport that was introduced to her through her school's participation in the Handball QLD Schools Muster. After helping her team achieve silver at the Australian Handball Championships, she was selected to compete as an athlete on the U19 Australian Handball Team at the 2025 IHF Trophy - Oceania event held at the Cook Islands. Through strength and teamwork, Monique and her team achieved an overall result of 2nd place at the event, which has earned them the qualification to compete at the World Championships this year.
Funding from the Individual Excellence Program has gone towards the costs associated with Monique competing at these sporting events over the years.
The dedication and sportsmanship that Monique demonstrates at her events makes her an excellent role model for our region's athletes.
The Individual Excellence Program celebrates and supports individuals (or teams) for their excellence in their chosen field. This program assists individuals residing in the Western Downs Regional Council area who are performing or competing at a national or international level.