Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This goes to the Dunkley class of 2024: the VCE and grade 6 students from schools in Dunkley who are participating in valedictory events and graduation ceremonies across the electorate. As the mum of a son who has just completed VCE, it was a pleasure to attend the Frankston High School valedictory last week and see young women and men from Dunkley all grown up, graduating and transitioning to the next phase of their lives. It was awesome and nerve-racking. What incredible young people we have in Dunkley. I have no doubt there are many parents feeling apprehension and nervous anticipation about what comes next.

In the next three weeks I will be out and about visiting all the schools in Dunkley and awarding the Louisa Dunkley Shield. I am thrilled to meet with students, staff and parents and to acknowledge a student from each school who has demonstrated equality, fairness and community service. In the words of Dr Seuss:

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

…   …   …

On and on you will hike.

And I know you'll hike far

and face up to your problems

whatever they are.

Oh, the places you will go! Congratulations to all of you.