Students from up to 22 local schools joined Hornsby State Liberal MP Matt Kean for a tour of NSW Parliament House (Wednesday) last week.
The annual tour saw 87 students participate on the day with parents, grand-parents and teachers all invited to take part.
The students toured the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council before joining Mr Kean for a special guest visit from former NRL Manly Sea Eagles prop Jason King, Australian netball star Sharni Layton and Hornsby Council mayor Steve Russell.
Mr Kean and his special guests spoke with the students about various types of leadership roles and the importance about working towards a long-term goal.
Students were given the chance to quiz the trio on their roles in public life and the challenges which come with it.
Jason King explained to the students that his road to rugby league first grade was the culmination of lots of hard work.
“I adopted a three “D’s” approach to success. That is discipline, dedication and determination,” Jason King said.
“I always found that if I focused on these areas that success and results would hopefully follow.”
Sharni Layton meanwhile told students to never give up on your dreams and to always try your best.
“I was always playing in the B grade teams growing up before one coach gave me a chance and picked me for the representative team,” Sharni Layton said.
“That was the big break I needed and I’ve been able to build on my success since then.”
Mr Kean reinforced sports stars messages to the students saying that with hard work anybody can go on to achieve great things in the future.
“The students will remember their visit the Parliament for the rest of their lives,” Mr Kean said.
“Hopefully they will take some inspiration from the words said today and go on to chase their dreams in whichever field that may be.”
Caption: Arcadia Public School students (L-R) Tsara Affarian, Ashlea Nicholson, Oliver Giuffre and Joel Shaheen join Hornsby Council mayor Steve Russell, former Manly Sea Eagles captain Jason King, Sydney Swifts star Sharni Layton and Hornsby MP Matt Kean.
