STATE Member for Bass Brian Paynter MP hosted 12 secondary students in parliament, and the day was a big hit for all.
Second year into the visit, Mr Paynter combined Bass Coast Shire Young Leaders and the inaugural recipients of the Brian Paynter MP Award for Outstanding Effort and Community Spirit to join him for the day.
Students included Kyla Sherrin and Courney Esparon from Bass Coast Specialist School, Nicholas Lawson, Mookyi and Leigh Duke from Wonthaggi Secondary College, Alex Burke and Lily Kissane from Newhaven College, Emma Burnes, Tibesso Abduro-Witago, Chloe Watters and Andrei Mehmet Emin Mustafa from Pakenham Secondary College.
Ron Townsend, a teacher from Bass Coast Specialist School, drove the school bus with the Bass students to Pakenham to meet with the Pakenham young leaders.
They all took the train to Parliament House together with Ann and Olivia from Brian Paynter’s electorate office.
The students enjoyed a tour of Parliament House, and were treated to a role play in the Legislative Assembly before proceedings commenced for the day.
After speaking with Brian in Queen’s Hall, they were treated to a tour of areas rarely seen by the public.
Mr Paynter hoped students enjoyed their day, touring the building and shaking hands with some of the Members of Parliament.
“The students are recognised for having outstanding qualities. Amongst them we had a chess champion, a principal singer for School Spectacular and a Pride of Anzac Award winner just to name a few achievements. It is great to see young people kicking goals.
“Really terrific,” he said.
All students sat in the public gallery for Question Time before enjoying lunch in the parliamentary cafe and participating in a Brian Paynter Quiz.
A great day was had by all.
Junior young leaders will be hosted in parliament by Mr Paynter later in the year.
