MR PALLAS (Treasurer) — With the start of a new parliamentary year, I would like to acknowledge to the house the students of my Werribee electorate who received my Endeavour Award for 2015. Six secondary school students and nine primary school students were each selected by their teachers to receive the award. Some of these students may have been the school’s highest academic performer or others may have been acknowledged for always striving to make the most of the educational opportunities that have been made available to them. The nominations received were outstanding, and they reflected on the students’ endeavours and efforts displayed towards their studies.

In January I had the pleasure of hosting the secondary students and their parents for lunch and taking them on a tour of our wonderful Parliament House and gardens. I thank the staff of Parliament House for both the tour and the catering service provided that helped to make this day special for the award recipients. It was an absolute privilege to celebrate with the students reflecting on their achievements after the completion of the long road through their formal education years.

To the house I acknowledge Ebony Biden, Suzanne Cory High School; Anee Dainer, Manor Lakes College; Joseph Guo, Werribee Secondary College; Justin Sanseviero, MacKillop Catholic Regional College; Laxmi Singh, Wyndham Central College; and Tiffany Wasnig, Heathdale Christian College. My best wishes go to them as they move forward to the next stage of life — young adults ready for a new life ahead.