STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr VIOLI (Casey) (16:21): Recently, I welcomed local student Seb from Billanook College in Mooroolbark to do work experience in my office. Seb lives on a poultry farm in my community, and he wrote this speech. He says: Eggs are a vital part of our country—from breakfast burgers to Sunday morning barbecues—eggs are essential.

Within my electorate of Casey, many families have backyard chooks and proudly shop from local farmgate vendors. Eggs are a vital source of protein and vitamin D with just two eggs making up 82% of our daily recommended vitamin D intake. In a time where people are searching for super foods and the next protein hack, look no further than the simple egg.

Eggs not only provide health benefits but also joy—think of easter eggs with delicious chocolate or gorgeous hand painted ones which are both family traditions across the country. Eggs are also a kay part of childhood learning—to cook an egg is a right of passage and one that not only supports our own health but also our amazing local vendors and farmers. Eggs benefits are far reaching with them also contributing upwards of $2 billion a year into the Australian economy and providing an environmentally friendly source of protein.

So, this National Egg Day—enjoy a delicious scrambled or poached egg and thank our hardworking farmers that provide us with these delicious feasts. Well done, Seb. Coming from a farming family myself, we're proud of our farms in Casey, but we're also proud of you.

Seb was recently announced as the college captain at Billanook College for next year. So well done, Seb. Congratulations.