Members Statement – 17/10/2017
I would like to commend the Monash Energy Materials and Systems Institute and its director, Mr Jacek Jasieniak, as well as the Net Zero Initiative, his team and the university management. This is an exciting project that is set to continue to build Monash University’s reputation as the premier destination for research, collaboration and sustainability. I am proud it is happening locally right here in my community in Clayton.
I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to a special group of students from South Oakleigh College who last year undertook a community service project in Cambodia. It was an absolute pleasure to have recently met with three of these students, Bianca Ciavarella, Amy Lindsay and Chris Vissariou — three incredibly mature and grounded young people. As a part of their project the students raised the money to fund their trip and spent three days working on a community project for a local school in Siem Reap Province. This included constructing new fences and a volleyball court, painting the school building and building two new toilets. I would like to commend Bianca, Amy and Chris on their contribution to the project. It was certainly humbling for me to hear about their experiences in Cambodia, and it is very heartening to see future young leaders who possess such a strong sense of community and altruism and what is truly a wonderful school in South Oakleigh College.