Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The eighth annual Palmerston Young Writers Festival was the biggest one yet, with 494 entries from young Territorians in years 2 through to 6. I was proud to again be one of the sponsors.

We have some outstanding storytellers in Darwin and Palmerston, and this festival is very special because it promotes inclusion. The 'interactive' or 'alternative' pen category means a kid like Xavier can use his QWERTY keyboard to write about what makes him happy and Reginald can use magnetic letters, with his carer's help, to write about a photo of a very happy doggo with his head out of a car window. Xavier and Reginald are students at Forrest Parade School and were awarded first place in their category, so congratulations. Massive thanks to the festival's coordinators, Emma Hansen and Leah Jones. I'm delighted to read a short poem from year 2 student Brooklyn:

I am kind, I am funny, I like drawing.

And I like painting and my friends are Isabella and Zeph.

I can sing and I can shout loud.

I'm as curious as a cat.

Because I am magnificent me.

Well done to Brooklyn, and well done to all the teachers there at Forrest Parade and throughout Palmerston and Darwin in my electorate. I'm really proud of how much our government values education, from the early years all the way through.