School Captains’ visit to Victoria’s State Parliament House
On Wednesday 24 August, I accompanied our two School Captains, Sienna Gerin and Angus Maynard, to the annual School Captains’ function sponsored by members of Victoria’s Parliament who serve the Eastern Metropolitan Region.
This event provides an opportunity for senior student leaders to meet some of our state politicians, to tour Victoria’s wonderful historic Parliament House and to hopefully have the chance to see at least one of the Houses of State Parliament in session. The three principal hosts for the evening were: The Hon. Bruce Atkinson, the Hon. Mary Woolridge, each a Member of Victoria’s Legislative Council (The Upper House) and the Hon. Neil Angus, the member for the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) seat of Forest Hill.
Also present during the evening were the Hon. Dee Ryall, who is the local member for the seat of Ringwood in the Legislative Assembly – Tintern Grammar is in the Ringwood electorate – and the Hon. Heidi Victoria, the member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Bayswater. Mary Wooldridge is the Opposition leader in the Legislative Council and the Shadow Minister for Health. Bruce Atkinson is President of the Legislative Council. He always takes a special interest in the Tintern Grammar Captains, as his two daughters and his son are graduates of our School.
As School Captains, Sienna and Angus and attendees from other schools are seen as budding problem solvers and potential future leaders of the wider community of both our State and our Nation. During the evening we were shown around both sections of Parliament House by Neil Angus and we were able to sit in both Chambers whilst being educated on the different roles each plays in debating current issues and creating and passing laws.
Early in the evening, Sienna and Angus were able to chat further with Heidi Victoria about their career aspirations. Heidi Victoria is responsible for the shadow ministerial portfolio of Tourism and Major Events as well as the shadow portfolios of Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts and Culture. Heidi is a frequent visitor to Tintern Grammar; she has previously addressed School Assemblies, has attended our Presentation Ball and is herself a current Tintern Grammar parent.
Pictured below are Sienna and Angus in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
