ADJOURNMENT

Mr GEE (Calare) (16:29): Across the Calare electorate, in the heart of regional New South Wales, from our smallest rural villages to our bustling regional centres, there are vibrant local community events occurring every single day. Today I want to celebrate some of them and also our extraordinary citizens, who contribute so much to our region, including our outstanding young leaders.

Places like Yeoval know how to dream big, as proven by the recent Back to Buckinbah Festival, now in its second year. I was in attendance at the Yeoval sports ground, where more than 2,000 people attended the festival, which is more than four times the town's population. Before 1882, Yeoval was originally known as Buckinbah, and it has a rich heritage, with deep ties to Banjo Paterson, who spent his formative years there.

The festival was founded by Kasey Millstead, Sam Whiteman and Jayme Richardson. They established the Grow Yeoval group and, with their hardworking volunteers, delivered this extraordinary festival, which featured gold panning, camp oven cooking, carriage rides, bull riding and fireworks. I even had a crack at the mechanical bull myself—unsuccessfully.

All of the proceeds go to local initiatives, supporting children, elderly residents and community groups. So I say congratulations to President Kasey Millstead, Sam, Jayme and their Grow Yeovil team, who worked so hard to bring this wonderful event to us. I also wish to recognise the wonderful volunteers behind the upcoming fifth annual Cumnock Community Family Fun Day on 17 October.

This free event draws around 1,000 visitors to the village, showcasing the very best of country hospitality and way of life. Organisers ease cost-of-living pressures for local families by keeping the entrance free, and it's organised by the Cumnock and District Progress Association, which is led by President Don Bruce and a wonderful team, including Secretary Rhonda Watt and Treasurer Narelle Hogan and committee members Cassandra Roberts, Carol Kerr, Rose Maros, Kerry Roberts, Angela Bruce and Heather Ruys.

I thank you for all of your selfless work in strengthening the community of Cumnock and its surrounding districts and in keeping our rural villages vibrant and connected. Right here in parliament this week, we had an outstanding young leader representing our region. I wish to acknowledge Glen Okon, a year 12 student from La Salle Academy in Lithgow who is serving in the 2026 Youth Parliament.

He was selected from over 2,000 applicants nationwide, and he joined 149 other young leaders at Parliament House this week to debate big ideas and bring regional voices directly to the national stage. I met Glen this week and I was very impressed by how passionate he is about our region and rural issues. Glen, you've done us immensely proud, and I hope you had a fantastic week of leadership, fellowship and fun in our nation's capital.

Speaking of great Lithgow schools, I was at Lithgow High School recently for Public Education Week, attending their annual induction of school leaders. It was inspiring to hear from student leaders like Aleese Thompson, who rightly pointed out that badges don't define us; it's our actions, heart and positive impact that count. I wish to thank the outgoing captains Laken Crook, Jane Doran, Aleese Thompson and Joshua Van Praag.

I also congratulate the newly inducted captains Ethan Chang, Alexandra McLoughlan, Michael Mjadwesch and Mantra Verma. I give a huge shout-out to the principal, Dr Foty Loupos, and all the dedicated staff at Lithgow High School. They do an extraordinary job.

The school was selected as one of 33 schools under the New South Wales government's High Potential and Gifted Education Partner School program to receive a $6 million upgrade. Dr Foty noted that this investment reflects the remarkable positive change across the school and the strength of its supportive community. Dr Foty and teacher Sean O'Keeffe took me on a tour of the spaces now nearing completion, and it's amazing.

They included a new green-screen 'infinity' media studio, along with upgraded STEM, art, music, multimedia, woodwork and metalwork teaching areas, plus enhancements to the library and entrance. I want to pay tribute to head teacher Lauren Aldrick, in particular, who has played an instrumental role throughout the design and upgrade process. These state-of-the-art facilities will give local students incredible tools to learn, innovate and pursue creative pathways in Lithgow.

I congratulate Dr Foty. He's a wonderful educator. He's one of our great educators in this country, and I pay tribute to the wonderful team at Lithgow High School.

Whether it's local visionaries in Yeoval and Cumnock or young leaders like Glen and the staff and students at Lithgow High School, these stories show the strength, talent and unshakeable community spirit of the people of the Central West.