Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] INXS, Midnight Oil, Angus and Julia Stone, Flume and Ocean Alley are just a few of the great bands and artists from the northern beaches. We are Australia's mecca for music—no argument. Strengthening the claim for our electorate are four mates from Barrenjoey High School. Noah Blockley, Tom Partington, Asher Mclean and Harley Wilson make up The Rions. They have been short-listed as one of five finalists, out of 1,400 entries across Australia, in the admired Triple J Unearthed high school competition.

Under the guidance of their music teacher John Stone, who is the father of ARIA award winners Angus and Julia Stone, they have already amassed nearly one million streams on Spotify with singles 'Halfway Out', 'Head Still Hurts' and their new hit, which is my favourite, 'Night Light'. There is a strong commitment to music and the arts on the northern beaches, which is good to see, despite the challenges posed by COVID. Whether or not they win the competition, I congratulate and commend them on their efforts.