STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr GOSLING (Solomon) (13:34): I want to talk about some very talented young Territory writers. 'A long, ghastly fart.' That's an unusual opening to a speech in parliament, no doubt, but that line comes from a winning short story called 'Another Day at the Office' by year 6 Durack school student Willow Clark. In Willow's Story, a pizza-eating stranger takes over the main character's desk, lets one rip and triggers an asthma attack and sends her to the hospital.

Willow ends the story with the following: I was rushed into an ambulance and taken to hospital. Unfortunately, it was only Monday. Another winner, year 5 Palmerston Christian College student Aniah Kapi, takes readers into the mountains of New Zealand, with danger and suspense as a young photographer battles the elements.

These are just two examples of the massive talent celebrated at the 2026 Palmerston Young Writers Festival. I say congratulations also to short story finalists Brodie and Gabriel and to all the young writers who had the confidence to put their work forward. I say thank you to the families, teachers and mentors who supported the students and to the organisers of the festival.

Palmerston has many bright young voices, full of humour and imagination. To them I say: please keep writing and sharing your stories.