ADDRESS TO STUDENTS AT AYR STATE HIGH SCHOOL

_{06 June, 2006}

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Good morning students.  I hope you are very proud of your school.

I am – because not only is this your school but it is also my school.

It is a school that I attended for five years and where I was proud to be elected during my time at school as Class Captain, Phillip House Captain and School Captain.

The Ayr High School is a school that has produced many fine students and sports men and women and many of them have gone on to bigger and better things.

It has produced many community leaders

No matter how naturally gifted you might be as an academic or as a sports star or performer you will only ever succeed if you work hard with commitment, diligence and enthusiasm at your chosen course of study – and if you get involved to the best of your capacity in your school, your family, your team or community activities.  Everyone of you has something to contribute.  Your next challenge is your exams next week which are so important - as you reach the half way mark of this year of your life.  Your teachers, your parents are there to help and if you make yourself the commitment to succeed, that help will be freely and willingly given.

It doesn’t matter exactly what goal you have in life, as long as you have a goal.

Many years ago I wanted to make a difference to our town, our nation and the world.  It was the education that I got at this school that enabled me to –

• become a reasonably successful lawyer in this town
• a moderately successful basketballer in North Queensland
• a community leader who as a Councillor helped build our Theatre and as one of the best in the State
• a politician in the Australian Parliament and for almost ten years was a Minister of the Government of this nation.
• and from this position I was able to in a small way, influence at global level the conservation of the planets marine biodiversity.

You too can achieve whatever you want.   It does take that commitment to succeed.

You live in the best part of the best country in the world.

As Australians we have much to be thankful for.

• Our democracy
• Our stability
• Our system of Government
• Our natural wealth
• Our people who originally came from all parts of the globe to join the original inhabitants to form a people whose spirit, tolerance and character is unique.

It’s the values we share that make us Australian.

You should appreciate and understand those values – it’s what we are.

Enjoy your days at school.

Be proud of your school.

Work hard

And good luck for your future.

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