From Meryl's Desk This month I had the privilege to attend Tomaree High School, Francis Greenway High School and Irrawang Public School for Education Week, where I presented awards to our outstanding educators who have dedicated their careers to enriching the lives of young people in our region. I also visited Salamander Child Care Centre for Early Learning Matters Week. It was a delight to meet the children and hear from the team who are passionate about the important role they play in educating these young children. Furthermore and after wiping over $3 billion in HECS debt nationwide to make education affordable to all tertiary students, our government have recently announced a 15% pay rise for every childcare worker. This is an investment in our future that ensures this critical workforce are paid fairly, and that our children are safe, happy, and learning in positive environments. This was an election commitment by the Albanese Labor Government, and I am pleased that we are delivering on it. Every childcare worker will get a 15% pay rise! I am also pleased to congratulate the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC) for winning the 'Visitor Attraction' award at the Inavate APAC Awards 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. This extraordinary achievement through the use of AV technology uncovers a part of Port Stephens history of which most people would be unaware. The educational and cultural work at WLALC's Murrook Culture Centre is vital for sharing Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions with current and future generations. By extending 60,000 years of Aboriginal storytelling into our multi-cultural Australian society, the personal histories, artefacts, and language of the Worimi people can be kept proudly alive for generations to come. Murrook Culture Centre also engages local schools and community groups in educational heritage camps that include traditional dance, bush tucker, and Dreaming stories. What an incredible opportunity to learn from a world-class organisation now acknowledged by a world-class award. Do yourself a favour and visit Murrook. I am proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government, dedicated to reforming education in Australia to be better and fairer. As your Federal Member, I can assist you with: Centrelink Medicare Immigration Communications (including NBN) Tax Child Support NDIS Veterans' Affairs Superannuation Aged Care MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON 4983 2401 35 Sturgeon Street Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 meryl.swanson.mp@aph.gov.au www.merylswanson.com.au Authorised by Meryl Swanson ALP Raymond Terrace From Meryl's Desk This month I had the privilege to attend Tomaree High School , Francis Greenway High School and Irrawang Public School for Education Week , where I presented awards to our outstanding educators who have dedicated their careers to enriching the lives of young people in our region . I also visited Salamander Child Care Centre for Early Learning Matters Week . It was a delight to meet the children and hear from the team who are passionate about the important role they play in educating these young children . Furthermore and after wiping over $ 3 billion in HECS debt nationwide to make education affordable to all tertiary students , our government have recently announced a 15 % pay rise for every childcare worker . This is an investment in our future that ensures this critical workforce are paid fairly , and that our children are safe , happy , and learning in positive environments . This was an election commitment by the Albanese Labor Government , and I am pleased that we are delivering on it . Every childcare worker will get a 15 % pay rise ! I am also pleased to congratulate the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council ( WLALC ) for winning the ' Visitor Attraction ' award at the Inavate APAC Awards 2024 in Bangkok , Thailand . This extraordinary achievement through the use of AV technology uncovers a part of Port Stephens history of which most people would be unaware . The educational and cultural work at WLALC's Murrook Culture Centre is vital for sharing Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions with current and future generations . By extending 60,000 years of Aboriginal storytelling into our multi - cultural Australian society , the personal histories , artefacts , and language of the Worimi people can be kept proudly alive for generations to come . Murrook Culture Centre also engages local schools and community groups in educational heritage camps that include traditional dance , bush tucker , and Dreaming stories . What an incredible opportunity to learn from a world - class organisation now acknowledged by a world - class award . Do yourself a favour and visit Murrook . I am proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government , dedicated to reforming education in Australia to be better and fairer . As your Federal Member , I can assist you with : Centrelink Medicare Immigration Communications ( including NBN ) Tax Child Support NDIS Veterans ' Affairs Superannuation Aged Care MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON 4983 2401 35 Sturgeon Street Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 meryl.swanson.mp@aph.gov.au www.merylswanson.com.au Authorised by Meryl Swanson ALP Raymond Terrace