Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I was pleased this morning to join Minister Husic, Minister for Industry and Science, and Minister Aly, Minister for Youth, for the 2023 Australian Olympiad team announcement. It is incredibly inspiring to be in a room with these young people who are going to represent our country, in a competition with 80 other countries, in science—biology, chemistry, earth sciences, informatics, mathematics and physics. I was even more proud to meet young Alex Park from Werribee Secondary College, in my electorate, who, as a member of that team, with three other students, is going to compete in the biology section of the olympiad. Alex is a fabulous young person. He came to this country as a three-year-old from Korea. I met his dad today, and I met his grandmother, who'd flown in from Korea to be here on this special occasion. Alex is 17, studying year 12, and he'll be leaving our shores next week to go to the UAE to compete against students from 80 other countries. I know how proud the Werribee Secondary College community are of Alex's achievement so far. The principal, Amanda Mullins, was here today to help celebrate. Go Alex! Our whole community is behind you. Australia will be barracking hard for you in the biology competition. Most importantly, stay open-minded, make friends and enjoy science.

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