30 May 2018
On the 24 May 2018 our School Captains Isabella and Lochlan visited NSW Government House and Parliament House as part of a program to support and develop leadership skills. The day started at NSW Parliament House with an address to our school leaders by a selection of members of parliament and Mr Rob Stokes (acting Premier and Minister for Education) this was followed by a Q&A session.
Next was an information session about the structure of the NSW Government and how laws are proposed, debated and passed in NSW. After the discussion students got to see parliament in action with a visit to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council to watch readings of proposed laws.
Member for Coffs Harbour Mr Andrew Fraser MP then gave our Captains a more personalised tour of parliament house including offices, media rooms, library, meeting rooms and many historic rooms that gave our Captains a very special perspective that is not always accessible to the general public.
After Lunch the visit moved on to NSW Government House for an audience with the Governor of NSW. A tour of Government house allowed our student leaders to gain an appreciation of the history of the building and a broader understanding of the history and structure of government in our state.
Students were addressed by His Excellency the Honourable TF Bathurst AC, Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales. This formal part of the day was followed by an informal personal audience with the Lieutenant Governor where Isabella was presented with a jar of honey from the Governors personal hives and Lochlan had an opportunity to impress the crowd playing the grand piano in the formal ball room of government house.
The day provided invaluable experience to our school leaders regarding the structure and nature of government and leadership in our state.