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Ms LINDA BURNEY (Canterbury) [5.24 p.m.]: Tonight I am going to talk about the annual prefect investiture at Canterbury Boys High School, as I did last year. Last year was the first year I attended the investiture and I was quite overwhelmed by how wonderful it was and how proud I felt looking at these wonderful young men. This year was no different and it was a great occasion. The ceremony was addressed by the principal, Mrs Ann Martin, the prefects co-ordinator, Ms Brewster, and Ken Olah, the superintendent of the St George School Education Area. Mr Olah gave a fabulous speech and used the Sydney Swans scarf as part of his lesson about loyalty. He also talked about how relationships were really important to the boys. Martin Ting, the school captain for 2004, gave a handover address. He was wonderful last year and he was just as wonderful, and even more grown-up, this year.
Rhys Burgess and Samin Raihan, school captains for 2005, and Arun Chowdhury, the outgoing 2004 vice-captain, also spoke. Mr Heron, of the Old Canterburians Union, pinned the badges on the boys. It was extremely moving to see a man who was probably in his sixties or seventies, who used to be a Canterbury Boys High School student, pinning the badges on these these young men. One of the speeches that made an enormous impression, not just on me and the adults there but also on the young men, was made by Mrs Pilgrim, the president of the Canterbury Boys High School Parent Committee. She spoke about driving and young people getting their licences. She did not shake her finger and say, "Just remember, cars can be lethal weapons." She did it in a way that embraced the young people there, and I am sure she gave them something extremely important to speak about.
Jofiliti Vuli, one of the outgoing prefects, and a young man, Johnson Zhang, performed musical items. It was very moving to see the cultural diversity and pride in these young men. New school captains Rhys Burgess and Samin Raihan, whom I mentioned before, led the procession of new students to be pinned on the day. But there was one famous old boy from Canterbury Boys High School who did not rate a mention either this year or last year.
Raymond Padora and Michael Zhang received their vice-captain badges and Billy Kwan and Steven Spiliotopoulos were officially named and accepted their roles as senior prefects. The prefects, some of whom I have already mentioned, were Tanmoy Adhikari, Milad Ahmadzai, William Chan, Christopher Coglitore, George Fifita, Scott Gallagher, Gino Gunardi, Justin Hartany, Chris Lee, Luke Malik, Miko Naguit, Craig Nolan, Peter Terzis, Mohamad Trad, Darren Wang and Michael Wu. Just listening to those names tells a little bit about the wonderful place that is the Canterbury electorate.
In their speeches the prefects spoke about no place for racism and bullying in the school, a chance to make a difference, not abusing the position, how they want to make things better, and how they know that the positions are about honour and dignity. They also spoke about custodianship. My message to the boys that night was just to do their best. People cannot expect any more, but they do not expect any less, and doing their best is what being a school captain or any sort of leader should be about. As I said earlier, it was an inspiring day, and all these young men from the senior years at the high school left me feeling confident that we have a bright future. They are a credit to the school, their families, and the people of Canterbury. The parents should be proud of these wonderful young men.