Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge, honour and thank all the young people in my electorate who take on leadership roles. I would particularly like to welcome to the parliament today, representatives from Galen College in Wangaratta. To Olivia, Aaron, Rebecca and Blake; and to staff, Laurie and Kirsty, I want to say: thank you for what you do.

They tell me that Galen is a great school: because of the community, because of the teachers, because of the choices in the curriculum and, most importantly, because of the opportunities it offers, including opportunities to volunteer. For example, there are opportunities to volunteer in Santa Teresa, Central Australia; opportunities to go to East Timor; opportunities locally to be part of the 'care van'; opportunities to go on exchange to Italy opportunities to be part of building an arts and cultural community in Wangaratta. I am told that last night Galen ran a talent contest 'Anything goes', where Blake was the MC. It was a very successful fundraiser for Santa Teresa and East Timor.

There are many students in my electorate who take on a leadership role. I would particularly like to acknowledge today: Sean O'Neill, a graduate of Galen College; the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, who is also a graduate; and some of the wonderful O'Hagan family. To all the people of Indi, particularly those who take on leadership roles, I want to say: I am very proud of you and very happy to be your representative in this place. Thank you.

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