Earlier this month two Walcha Central School students travelled to Sydney to represent Walcha Central School as school captains at the Sydney Parliament House and Government House.
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Ashleigh Wall and Tayla Carter joined student leaders from Tamworth, Gunnedah, Walcha and Barraba to get a taste of life in the NSW Parliament during the visit hosted by the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson MP.
Two representatives from each school attended the the event.
"We first attended Parliament House where we listened to thirteen MPs who represent many districts around New South Wales from both the Lower and Upper Houses," said Miss Wall.
"We were also lucky enough to sit in on a debate taking place in the Lower House of Parliament about influenza and vaccines."
Lunch was provided, followed by a short walk and tour of the Governor's house.
"The Governor, the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AO. QC, accompanied by her husband Mr Dennis Wilson, addressed the assembly of students and teachers and provided us with a lovely afternoon tea in the back garden," Miss Carter said.
"It was an incredible and unique event where we made many friends, connected with important representatives and learned insider knowledge of the proceedings of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament."
Mr Anderson said each year secondary school leaders from all NSW high schools are invited to visit the Parliament to participate in the Secondary Student Leadership Program.
"This is such a great opportunity as the program recognises the school leadership role of students and provides them with the opportunity to meet their elected representatives," he said.
"It also helps them to develop their knowledge of constitutional and parliamentary processes including the role of the Governor.
"It is a great honour for me to be able to speak to these young people who have been chosen to be leaders amongst their student peers.
"Everything I do in Parliament is aimed at bringing a benefit back to our region so I'm delighted to catch up with them in the place where the laws and legislation are decided."