Today I am excited to update the House of the inaugural Oxley Electorate Spirit of

Anzac Award. This is a competition open to students in year 11 across the Oxley electorate. They have been

invited to submit a short essay, poem or piece of art work on what the spirit of Anzac means to them. The recipient

judged to be awarded first prize will receive flights and accommodation, with a parent, to visit the Australian

War Memorial and Parliament House later this year. Anzac Day holds a special place in the hearts of many

Australians, as we pay our respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I am looking forward

to receiving entries from students across the electorate as to what this special commemoration means to them.

A selection committee consisting of representatives from my local RSL subbranch has been convened to judge the

most worthy recipient. Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of joining year 11 students at Forest Lake State High

School to officially launch the competition, alongside Mr Bob Richards, the newly elected president of the Forest

Lake RSL Sub-Branch; Mr Steve Ford, the secretary and chairman of the Commemorative Committee; and Mr

Brian Roche, the treasurer. I would particularly like to thank Mrs Denise Kostowski, the new principle at Forest

Lake State High School, for joining me at the launch. We have some of the most dedicated and hardworking

RSL subbranches in Oxley, who do a tremendous job of representing veterans. I am proud to work side by side

with them, and I am looking forward to partnering with the branches as part of the Oxley Electorate Spirit of

Anzac Award.