Bulli super mum Nicole Beck and gold medal playoff try-scorer Emma Tonegato on Tuesday added to the region’s success, started by swimmer Emma McKeon’s relay triumph. The 24-17 win over New Zealand might stand as one gold medal for Australia, but it’s the reward for a lifetime of training and dedication for Beck and Tonegato.

The three golds would put Illawarra equal with Hungary and ahead of Russia, South Korea and Great Britain, after three days of competition.

And there could be more to come, with McKeon and brother David back in the pool on Wednesday.

Emma qualified sixth fastest for the 200m freestyle final (11.19am), but is a medal contender if she swims a time close to her personal best. 

David will be part of Australia’s 4x200m relay team likely to win silver or bronze.  

Australia’s equestrian team on Tuesday pushed towards a medal on Wednesday morning, but Berry’s Shane Rose was eliminated after his horse refused to clear multiple jumps during the cross country event. 

Tonegato put the Australian Sevens team on the path to glory, controversially awarded their first try after the ball landed short of the line initially and then bobbled in her hands.  But the magic moment of Illawarra’s Games so far belonged to Beck, who held her three-year-old daughter Sophie to kiss the gold medal together. At 28, Beck made her international debut eight years ago, but took an extended break after the birth of her daughter.