Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to update the House on the Prime Minister's recent visit to Albany in my electorate of O'Connor. The PM was warmly welcomed to Albany Senior High School by Principal Jenny Firth, Head Girl Danaleigh Victor and Head Boy Aiden Matson. He wished ASHS a happy birthday ahead of their 100th anniversary next year. The PM spoke to students about leadership qualities and received feedback on the challenges facing country kids pusuing tertiary studies in the city. In an art class he met students getting their hands dirty, before posing for selfies with school prefects amid stripy blazers and dazzling smiles. The PM tweeted 'Bright blazers and even brighter minds', which gave the school national exposure.

At the National Anzac Centre he was greeted by RSL WA president Peter Aspinall, Albany sub-branch president Geoff McNeill, Laurie Fraser and retired Brigadier Geoff Hand. The City of Albany Mayor, Dennis Wellington, CEO Andrew Sharpe and facility manager, Matthew Hammond, guided the PM through the award-winning facility, where he left a message for his chosen serviceman, saying: 'Your service kept us free. We thank and honour you. Lest we forget.' A civic reception was held after that for 300 people at the recently completed Centennial Park pavilion, which was built with an $8.5 million Commonwealth grant. I thank the City of Albany for hosting this event, where the PM gave a short address before mingling with school groups and community volunteer organisations, and he took the opportunity to thank two of Albany's World War II veterans, Harold Martin and Murry Maxton, for service to their country.