I rise on this occasion to state on record just how exciting it was to attend the opening of Dohertys Creek P–9 College in Truganina earlier this year. This wonderful new school completed its first phase of construction in the final months of 2018 and is now open to students from prep to grade 6. I must take this opportunity to congratulate principal Ian Wren, assistant principal Brianna Morelli and the teaching staff for their dedication and hard work. Thank you for taking such good care of our 256 precious students and their families.

Upon meeting many of the new students, I was amazed at how quickly they had developed a strong sense of community, despite so many moving from other schools. I was delighted to hear about their curious minds as they engaged with their teachers and with their schoolwork. One class I visited even happened to be writing letters to me about the new playground they cannot wait to call their own. I have to say that these letters and the drawings that accompanied them touched my heart.

Last month all seven students from grade 6 visited me here in this place. They are the first-ever school captains of Dohertys Creek and they spent a great deal of time asking me questions that were inquisitive and insightful. The students at Dohertys Creek embody the bright young minds of the outer west, and I look forward to seeing each and every one of these children continue to grow and make their own remarkable contributions to our community.