Brett Whiteley (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sure that by now you are starting to believe me when I tell you there is something pretty special about my electorate of Braddon. Today I would like to tell you about a group of talented students from Geneva Christian School.

Under the guidance of Mrs Jane Marks, the students entered the 2014 Focus on Ability Short Film Competition. Now in its sixth year and run by the not-for-profit organisation Nova Employment, the competition is aimed at raising the awareness of the abilities of people with a disability. The film Open Your Eyes asks the viewer what do they see when they see the star of the film, Phil Acheson. Mr Acheson has a disability, and the film suggests that it is easy to focus on the disability that we see, and not what abilities a person may have. Through a montage of scenes we see that Mr Acheson needs help to live each day with a disability, but at the end it is revealed that the beautiful piano music that has been used to provide the soundtrack is actually being played by Mr Acheson.

The film won the judges' choice short film prize and I am confident that the $15,000 prize package won by the school is nothing compared to the pride Mrs Marks has for her students. I would like to congratulate Mrs Marks and the Geneva Christian School for allowing the students to engage in such a productive learning environment. Special congratulations go to Sarah Marks, Joradanne Turner, Jackson Marks, Lewis Lamont, Steven Green, Riley Lodge, and of course the very talented, Phil Acheson. If you want to view the film, you can visit my website: brettwhiteleymp.com.au.