Wednesday, 15 May 2024

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Employment) (10:02): Congratulations to St Helena Secondary College for their fantastic performance of Our Town. This terrific school has so many talented and creative actors who are an absolute joy to watch: Siena Laidler, Kobus Victor, Mia Elisher, Dominic Lavery, Joshua Thompson-Bennets, Hannah Smith, Massimo Lavery, Esmare Victor, Rami Eletr, Madison Bethune, Morgan Fraser, Emily Davis, Sophie Hardinham, Emily Russell, Charlotte McFarlane, Nikki Shetye, Isaac Thompson, Isabella Bannister, Angus O’Loughlin, Amy Stone, Mayella Webb, Tiernan Di Berardino, Molly Mills and Grace Brockett. The junior ensemble comprised Jessica Argiropoulos, Asher Ashraf, Kayla Broomfield, Sienna Croaker, Zoe Di Dio, Priya Ellis Smith, Abigail Johnstone, Ravi King, Chelsea King, Melody O’Keeffe, Lily O’Loughlin, Bella Peters, Caitlin Pollock, Meimuna Sha and Olivia Wood. It was directed by Amanda Egglestone, with the support of assistant director Jack Collins, producer Laura Zinghini, technical design Thomas Gerasimidis, vocal coach Lynne Bartlett and a technical crew of Xaiver Hawker, Elliot Dixon, Giselle Hick, Zoe Maslin, Lincoln Novak, Molly Odgers, Anya Watkinson and Jay Taylor.

It was a fantastic performance and a testament to our brilliant state schools. Our state schools do so much work. They support their kids so incredibly well, and it was wonderful to see the network that was around our St Helena students and their incredible performances – mature, confident performances that were so beautifully made. Congratulations, St Helena, on a fantastic production.