Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (13:28): Cranbourne West Primary School is amazing. Andrew Bergmeier as the principal leads a team of educators, school support staff and office and administrative crew, including the iconic Sharon Start, whose commitment to the school and broader community is second to none. That sets our community apart. Today I would like to acknowledge the work of the human-powered vehicle team. When teacher Chris McGowan first started talking about the importance of this work, I have to admit I did not fully grasp what was involved. I understood it mattered to the students and mattered to the teachers and they were passionate about the program, but I still did not fully get it. So I watched some videos and some features, and I started to get the idea. I started to ask some more questions and speak to locals, and then I really started to understand. I was invited to go and watch the teams, including our very own Cranbourne West Primary School, participate in a statewide competition at Casey Fields, and then the penny dropped. Those teachers, students, families and carers really know what matters. The tenacity, resilience and confidence inspired by the human-powered vehicle team is inspiring, and I would also like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors of this program. We recently received a letter from Yenundi, a student at Cranbourne West Primary School who participates in the human-powered vehicle program. She has asked the Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Climate Action and Minister for the State Electricity Commission to read her letter. I cannot wait to visit.