Official visit to Eungella State School

Member for Mirani, Mr Steve Andrew MP; Mayor Williamson; Major General Smith; Principal, Ms Judy Vidulich; Eungella State School students, staff and supporters.

I at once acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay respect to their Elders past and present – with encouragement to their young emerging leaders.

Welcome to the new year! I hope you are enjoying your time at this most impressive school – small in numbers, but big in spirit.

A special welcome to the boys and girls in Prep, who have just begun their formal years of education, and I also acknowledge the Year 6 students, for whom it is their last year before beginning high school.

I look forward to visiting your classrooms following today’s parade.

I myself had the good fortune to attend primary school for some time in regional Queensland, but my education bore very little resemblance to what I see here today!

Like you I had a wonderful education, but while my classmates and I sat in long rows and spent much of our time looking at a blackboard, you have access to apps, coding, robotics, even virtual classrooms.

The power of technology to harness learning is having a tremendous impact on education, particularly in rural and regional Queensland.

It is a revolutionary time to be in education, and I am excited to see the transformative effect technology is having in your school and in your classrooms.

But no matter how impressive technology is, we must continue to engage on a personal level.

Your teachers, friends, families and communities – they are what really count.

And you demonstrated that convincingly late last year during the fires across this region.

I am impressed to hear of your courage and resilience at that time, and your willingness to support each other, even total strangers in need of a helping hand.

You continually exceed your own expectations.

Last August in your generosity you aimed to raise $200 to support drought-affected farmers – and you raised $400.

Likewise, during the fires you showed strength and selflessness you may not have known you possessed, and were able to lend support to those around you.

Never underestimate the impact you can have as an individual, and as a school community.

2019 is a new and exciting year, and I wish you all the very best.

I encourage you to make the most of your time at Eungella State School, and enjoy every minute of it.

Thank you.