Primary School Students Christmas Card Competition

Ms MARIE ANDREWS (Gosford) [2.06 p.m.]: As we enter into the 2008 Christmas season it is my pleasure to announce to the House the winner of my 2008 Christmas card competition. Last month I wrote to all primary school principals in my electorate inviting their year 3 students to design an artwork to be used on my 2008 Christmas card. This year saw a significant number of entries from many artistic year 3 students. The artworks were creative, colourful and full of Christmas spirit. I am pleased to announce that the student whose artwork will appear on my 2008 Christmas card is Michaela Conway from Point Clare Public School. For her brilliant effort Michaela will receive a $50 gift voucher from Australian Geographic. In addition, Point Clare Public School will receive a $200 gift voucher from Scholastic to purchase books for the school.

Such was the high calibre of entries from all participants this year that a student from each participating school will receive a Highly Commended Certificate as well as a $10 gift certificate from Australian Geographic. Students who will be receiving the Highly Commended Certificate are: Carina Kerr from the Chertsey Primary School, Emma Carenvale from the Kariong Public School, Ellise Beasley from the Point Clare Public School, Zali Kassi from the Umina Public School and Sarah Loaney from the St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School. All of the students who entered the competition will receive a Certificate of Participation, which I will distribute in the near future.

I extend my thanks to all teachers who assisted and encouraged their students to participate in this year's competition. The outstanding contribution from so many students is a reflection of the hard work that teachers in our schools undertake. I also extend my thanks to the principals of the participating schools: Mr Lee Oliver of the Point Clare Public School, Mr John Anderson from the Chertsey Primary School, Mr Ivan Padgett from the Kariong Public School, Mr John Blair from the Umina Public School and Mr Frank Cohen from the St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School. The schools in the Gosford electorate do an outstanding job in educating our children. We should all be proud of our students and thankful to those who dedicate their careers to the education of our future adults.

This year is the fourth successive year that I have held the competition in my electorate. Since the inception of the Christmas card competition, I have received many positive comments over the years about how beautiful the pictures are on the cards. I believe there is nothing better than children's art to capture the feeling of the Christmas season. I look forward to sending out my 2008 Christmas cards, which will showcase the artistic endeavour of Michaela Conway. Well done, Michaela, for all your efforts!

Mr BARRY COLLIER (Miranda—Parliamentary Secretary) [2.11 p.m.]: I thank the member for Gosford for bringing to the attention of the House her 2008 Christmas card design competition. I look forward to one of those cards being received by the Miranda electorate office. I also congratulate Michaela Conway for both winning the competition and winning a prize for her school. I have run similar competitions in my electorate. I have found them to be a great source of delight for both children and parents, and they reflect credit on the schools. The quality of the artwork of children in year 3 is quite astonishing. I commend the member for Gosford, who is a very popular local member, on her support for and commitment to schools in her electorate. I take this opportunity to thank members of the Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club and the member for Gosford for their hospitality during a recent visit by the New South Wales State Parliamentary Bowls Team. We copped a hiding from the Gosford locals, but it was most enjoyable. I thank everyone concerned for their hospitality.