Five fortunate individuals within the student body were given the opportunity to represent Parklands High School assisting with the Federal Budget Roadshow, at the RSL club Burnie. The students selected for this event were: Taleah Smith, Abbey Granger, Kyron Lyons, Benita Leary, and Isabella Riley. This opportunity allowed us to cater the event, alongside other school students, with professional supervision. The guest list for the event included multiple high-ranking politicians and their accomplices. The most prominent of these guests would be our current Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. This was an incredible experience for all people involved, having some of the most important members of our government within our little town of Burnie. This event held a special place within my heart being the first chance of a real interaction with Australia’s leadership.

After hearing the news on Thursday afternoon that we would be given the chance to represent Parklands High School at such a prestigious event, we were all ecstatic to see what the next 24 hours would bring and the everlasting impacts it may have on our developing lives.

The day started with a normal first half of school, but by the time 11:45 A.M. had ticked past, we knew it was our time to shine. All five of us students were called over the PA and asked to meet Giovanna Simpson in the office with our bags. It was now time to get changed and prepare for the event. We all promptly entered the school car, knowing there was no time to waste, and started chattering away at how excited and eager we were to participate in this wonderful event. Once we had arrived at the RSL Burnie, we entered through the back door and tried to be as incognito as possible so we would not distract any of the guests. When we were inside the building, we had the simple task of quietly sitting around and awaiting the man of the hour.

The time had finally arrived, the Honourable Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia had entered the building. The room fell silent for a short moment, but after everyone had realised who their “Surprise Guest” was to be, a thundering applause resonated within the complex.

Knowing that it was now time to begin distributing meals, we prepared to collect and send meals throughout the main hall. Holding the two plates within my hands and walking down a long narrow hallway towards my destination was the most nerve-wracking experience I had ever felt. After serving the first few people, the nerves began to disappear. I became more comfortable as the afternoon went by. It felt like a flash, meal after meal, plate after plate, it became a repetition of the same process. Once everyone had eaten, and enjoyed dessert too, it was time to remove empty dishes, and wait in the back room for further instructions. Eagerly waiting, and anticipating a climactic moment, it was finally time for the Prime Minister to walk in and meet the crew behind the event. Congregating together, eagerly getting into position for a group photo, Scott Morrison walks into the room accompanied by a wave of excitement and disbelief. Photo after photo, smile after smile, everyone wanted to get a pic with Australia’s most important man. I even had the honour of shaking his hand. Although everyone was excited to see him, he was gone in a flash, only being in the room for 4 minutes max. A swift escort out of the building lead Scott Morrison and his colleagues out of the building and into their waiting transport.

At the end of all this excitement, the time was around 2:35. We all knew that it was time to depart and return to school. The walk back to the car, and the ride home provided some interesting political topics, and shared emotions of joy. Never again will we be given such an incredible experience within our school lives, and hopefully this experience stays within our hearts and minds forever.

Kyron Lyons

Year 10