TRANSCRIPT:
Today I had the pleasure of celebrating 11 extraordinary students from my electorate who are deserving recipients of the Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Award.
I want to congratulate Xavier Berriman, Murph Lazenby, Tammanie Robinson, Ella Currell, Lori Perry, Estella-Rose Kipping, Charlie Mackrell, Brianna Maher, Dustin Cocks, Asha Embling and Olivia Williams, who were all here at Parliament today. The award is named in honour of a local legend for those in my electorate, and it is an initiative that I am so happy to be a part of. This annual award recognises students across the Euroa electorate who demonstrate the attitude and values that Weary showcased throughout his life and his time in prisoner-of-war camps, including compassion, humility, friendship, forgiveness, courage, leadership and integrity.
Whether it be coming back from illness, participating in sports championships, growing academically, taking on school leadership positions or just being a great friend to those in need, these kids have all done amazing things. I am so proud of all these award winners. They are students who have gone through more hardship than most yet continue to demonstrate incredible resilience. Some of these kids may still be young, but the qualities they have shown prove that our future is in good hands. I also want to thank the parents and guardians of these award recipients. You should all be so proud of the influence you have had over these beautiful young souls, who are growing to be extraordinary young people. I know I am.