Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (09:54): On the 11th of the 11th I attended Mornington Secondary College’s remembrance service. I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend every year since I entered Parliament, and I thank principal Linda Stanton for including me and other local members of Parliament in the service. It was a bit different this year. It was moved inside due to the rain, but they took the hundreds of students and guests inside and it was a sensational service. They had attendance from the local RSL, Rotary and Lions. As always, it was absolutely sensational. The school has been doing it for years, decades I believe, and the students have an incredible respect for the service. The maturity they approach it with is very, very impressive. I do not know if I would be able to sit still at their age with such focus, such an understanding, but I think that comes from year-on-year experience with the Anzac Day service, Remembrance Day service, the avenue of honour and understanding that in World War I, 60,000 Australians gave their lives. They recognise, with plaques, the locals in Mornington who gave their lives in World War I, the values that were fought for and the opportunities they have afforded all of us and the students in Mornington. I want to acknowledge the 2025 school captains, Ethan and Carter, who delivered really impressive speeches. Best of luck to all the year 12s, who are finishing their exams and will go off next year. And it was great to meet Chloe, Larni and Luka, who are going to be the 2026 captains. I look forward to working with them next year.