ADJOURNMENT

Dr REID (Robertson) (16:45): I rise today to speak in celebration of an extraordinary milestone, the 30th anniversary of the Australian Reptile Park. For three decades, this iconic local institution has delighted families, educated generations of young Australians and fostered a deep appreciation for our unique wildlife. What began as a passion for reptiles and conservation has grown into one of the Central Coast's most treasured attractions, drawing visitors from the Central Coast, from right across Australia and from beyond our borders.

The success of the reptile park is a testament to the vision, dedication and hard work of the many staff, wildlife carers, volunteers and supporters who have contributed to this remarkable, remarkable journey. Their commitment to conservation, education and animal welfare has ensured that the park remains a leader in protecting some of Australia's most precious native species.

Of course, no celebration of the Australian Reptile Park would be complete without a very, very special mention of one of its most beloved residents, and that is the iconic dinosaur, Ploddy. The generations of coast families, a visit to the reptile park has meant posing for a photo and creating treasured childhood memories with Ploddy. You'll be driving down the M1—or the F3, as it used to be called—and you'll see Ploddy near the freeway exit.

And for so many locals, it's one of those familiar signs, kind of like when you cross over the Hawksbury River bridge, when you know you're home. Ploddy is more than just an attraction; Ploddy has become a symbol of the park itself and holds a very special place in the hearts of countless locals and visitors alike. As we celebrate 30 successful years, we also celebrate the lasting impact of the park on our community.

Can I say to the Australian Reptile Park: congratulations on this significant achievement, and here's to many more years of inspiring, educating and entertaining future generations. Over the course of this week, we've had Australia's inaugural National Youth Parliament. It's a fantastic initiative to make sure that we are improving and increasing civics education in Australia.

It's such an important asset for our young people. From the electorate of Robertson, from the mighty Central Coast, we had the youth member for Robertson, and that was Mr Lewis Pankhurst from Narara Valley High School. He is an absolutely outstanding young Australian that I know participated fully in what the new Australian youth parliament had to offer.

In particular, he gave a passionate adjournment debate towards the end of the proceedings which focused on a critical issue affecting not only young people and those in our education system but also those right across our country. That is mental health and mental health concerns of young people. But it's also those units in our schools, particularly in our New South Wales schools, that really are the frontline and the coalface of making sure that our young people, our young Australians, are fit and healthy in schools, making sure that their mental health concerns are met.

I know that Lewis, the youth member for Robertson, gave a passionate speech with regard to this issue and really put his best foot forward for our electorate and our region. Lewis, mate, you've done yourself proud, and you've done your school proud at Narara Valley High School. But, more importantly, you've done the electorate of Robertson and this country proud with the speech that you gave in the youth parliament chamber just this week.

Well done, mate. Your family and your teachers must be incredibly proud of you. I know I am, and all my staff were.

Hearing you and listening to you articulate the issues that you're passionate about is absolutely outstanding to see, as the member for Robertson in this chamber. So well done. I hope that, in the future, you consider a career in representation, in politics.

Sometimes it's not the most glamorous of jobs, as I'm sure some of the people in this chamber can attest to, but representing your community is something that is so beautiful, and it's something that you'll never forget. Well done, Mr Pankhurst. The SPEAKER: Well done, Member for Robertson, and well done to the youth member for Robertson as well.