Northern Stars under the Big Top
Page: 724
Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [5.31 p.m.]: As a patron of Northern Stars Under the Big Top tonight I pay tribute to Greg Cloak, who is chair of the board of management of Northern Stars Under the Big Top and the district superintendent of schools in the Lismore area. He headed up a board of management that took the Northern Stars Under the Big Top from a concept to a spectacular event. What did the teachers and the students know? They had the belief that the talent was there. They knew that many students could not participate in the Schools Spectacular in Sydney, they knew that public education deserved a local forum to show its excellence and they had a vision. Under the leadership of Greg Cloak, Robyn Ludeke and Lynne Cook, they had the experience and a connection with the arts unit. A team was formed to establish the board—which was very supportive—a production team and a logistics team. They had the schools' staff, principals, parents and volunteers. The volunteers were community members, retirees, parents, part-time staff, including teachers, students, school and Southern Cross University students, district office staff—the list goes on.
The value of the show cannot be quantified. Those people got personal satisfaction from knowing that they contributed to one of the biggest student events held in a rural community in New South Wales, with students performing at the absolute highest level in one of the biggest venues available. The show contributed to the life of the community, building its character and adding to the self-confidence of the students. Northern Stars achieved two great goals: improving student outcomes and building community capacity. It helped more than 2,500 students experience an event that most would never have dreamt of and few would have experienced, and it has left a vivid memory that says, firstly, they can achieve; secondly, they are worthy; thirdly, they have talents; and, fourthly, they can make a difference. In a letter to Greg and the committee, Hetty Cislowski, the Assistant Director-General of Secondary Education said:
The wonderful, exuberant sights and sounds of Northern Stars are still with me.
Thank you for inviting me to attend a sensational performance and congratulations to you and the Board for the vision and for bringing it off so well. I am still quite stunned by the logistics and the obvious pride and satisfaction of the team involved...
The involvement of so many schools and students from the North Coast is a great credit to the organisation and commitment of all involved.
The Bonalbo Central School newsletter stated:
To say the show had been a success is like saying that Phar Lap could gallop a bit.
In a quick note to Greg, Ballina High School stated:
Wow! Congratulations! Absolutely spectacular. Every one was so fantastic and happy last night.
Jiggi school sent a message to Greg which in part stated:
The show was absolutely fantastic. We were captivated by the movement and the music, the costuming and the smiling performers. We were amazed at the mammoth scale of the production—it really became obvious in the finale.
I was proud of our Jiggi participation and equally proud of this showcasing of public education.
Mullumbimby High School stated:
Thank you for the opportunity provided to Mullumbimby High students to participate in such a first class experience. It will be a memory we are sure they will value.
Another note from Peter Hudson stated:
Congratulations on a fantastic evening!
Big Top—Big Show—Huge Effort—Incredible Performance!!!
The best schools' production I have ever seen. So much talent!
Worth every cent... and more!
Think about the logistics: all those children from more than 75 schools, and the training and travelling involved. Many teachers were involved in the rehearsals, which took place on weekends for eight months. The first time the entire group came together was the day before the public performance. I recognise Greg Cloak, Robyn Ludeke, Lynne Cook, Gary Tyler and two special young ladies, Kelly and Rebecca. I recognise sponsors and also everyone who contributed to the success of the event, especially the parents who gave a commitment to support the students and to support the show. Northern Stars Under the Big Top, which was held in Lismore, was a tremendous success.
Mr GAUDRY (Newcastle—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.36 p.m.]: On behalf of the Minister for Education and Training I compliment the honourable member for Lismore for a clear indication of the quality of our teachers in public schools, the wonderful talent of our students, and the dedication and support of parents in putting on Northern Stars Under the Big Top. The honourable member rightly payed tribute to Greg Cloak, Robyn Ludeke, Lynne Cook, Gary Tyler and the committee members who were involved in this spectacular performance. I understand that it involved 75 primary and secondary schools from the Queensland border to Port Macquarie. As the honourable member for Lismore said, some 2,500 students performed in six shows, with great support from community groups and local businesses, and sponsorship as well.
As the department said, tribute must be paid to Lismore City Council, Southern Cross University and Country Energy for their support. The event was held at the Lismore Showground, bringing together those 2,500 students after their individual work in the schools, the choreography, the discipline required, and finding a spark of talent in each of them. They were star performers at the event, working together to put on a spectacular show. I congratulate the honourable member for Lismore on bringing forward another classic example of the quality of public education, the capacity of our teachers, the talent of the students, and the dedication and support of the parent body.