Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The class of 2024 is celebrating after graduating from high schools across the electorate of Dawson. Students have given their all over the past 13 years from prep through primary school and finally finishing their schooling in high school. They have all worked so hard. School leavers are celebrating as we speak at schoolies before they embark on the next journey in life, whether that be enrolling into university, getting a full-time job or trade or taking a gap year to travel the world.

Each year, I sponsor the Dawson award for a student selected by their school who fits a set criteria. This award takes its name from my electorate, which is named in honour of a former Queensland member of parliament who served as Premier of Queensland from 1899 to 1903. The student recipient demonstrates leadership and motivates others. They demonstrate a selfless commitment to their community, have a passion for social issues and want to make a difference, are kind and have a true desire to help others.

So far, students from 15 high schools in my electorate have been awarded the Dawson medal: Jacob Machin, from Home Hill State High School; Verity Whelan, from William Ross State High School; Eliza McNee, from Bowen State High School; Eleanor Baldock, from St Catherine's Catholic College, Ronald Norris, from Southern Cross Catholic College; Nicole Cervoni, from Burdekin Catholic High School; Amy Bower, from Calen District State College; Brent Dingle, from Burdekin Christian College; Dallas Mitchell, from Holy Spirit College; Domonik Battersby, from Mackay Christian College; Amy Williamson, from Mackay Northern Beaches State High School; Olivia Murphy, from Proserpine State High School; Kayla Woods, from Mackay State High School; Megan Heald, from Annandale Christian College; and last, but not least, Jackson Riley, from Whitsunday Christian College.

With the huge array of talent that I've witnessed, I'm very confident our future is in good hands. I would like to congratulate each Dawson award recipient and wish them all the best in the future. Whatever your chosen path, it's yours for the making. You may not stay on that same path, as life throws different choices, different opportunities and different curveballs, but what you make of your own pathway is all yours. The choice is yours. I wish you all the best. Go forth.