Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

RICK WILSON () (): Every year, thousands of school students visit Australian Parliament House to learn about our parliamentary system and witness the parliament in operation during sitting periods. Today, we welcome to the House a particularly special and unique group of students from the Kalgoorlie School of the Air, which reaches out to students across two of the biggest electorates in Australia, Durack and O'Connor. The member for Durack and I give a joint shout-out to Billy Wood from Rawlinna station—Billy turns 10 today—Tanner Prosser of Weebo station near Leinster, Doug Vernon of Mount Jackson station in the Yilgarn shire, Rachel Mahony of Moorarie station, and Jane and Alex Forrester of Yarlarweelor station. And a big thank you to teachers Mr Parsons and Ms Loveland and to mum Jane Forrester, who are here today, and to the school community for making this visit possible.

The Kalgoorlie School of the Air was established in 1962, using radio infrastructure provided by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Of course, the technology is a lot more advanced today, and students receive daily online lessons and work through individually designed programs. In addition, teachers visit their students at home several times a year and kids get together for sporting camps, school muster and trips like this Canberra trip.

I hope you've enjoyed your day in parliament, including the role-play we joined you for earlier. Enjoy question time and the rest of your trip.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A very warm welcome to the kids from Kalgoorlie School of the Air.