Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (09:53): This year is 150 years of the Harkaway Primary School, a great primary school that has had so many wonderful people go through. I know we are not allowed to have props in here, but today I do wear my house captain badge. Believe it or not, it is the house captain badge from 1986, which I have managed to still keep. And yes, I did hold that leadership position for 12 months, so that was actually a good opportunity there. It is a wonderful school. I had the pleasure of going out there and meeting with Harry and Summer, who are the school captains this year. I know that they have got some amazing plans for this year to celebrate all the things that have happened at Harkaway Primary and the people that have gone through. Also, to the captains of Melrose, which was my house at the time, Zamaan and Oliver: thank you so much for making sure you keep the legacy going. Harkaway Primary School has not just had an influence on many people’s lives but on mine specifically, with some of the teachers, like Stuart Daly, Diane Forsythe, Lynne Pentland and the late Lyn Prendergast – so many people who make a difference in our lives. These are the primary school teachers that can guide and work with you. I was very lucky, because it was a small school. When I was there, we went down to as low as 60-odd students, and it went as high as 200. But you got to know everybody, and you truly learned what it was about: giving back to the community and that the best benefits that you get for yourself are by giving back more to your community. I congratulate Harkaway Primary on their 150 years, and I wish them the best in their celebration.