2024 Premier's VCE Awards

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which this building stands – the Wurundjeri people – and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.

It’s a pleasure to join you this afternoon for the 2024 Premier’s VCE Awards.

To be here in this room today as a recipient, you must have demonstrated excellence, perseverance, and, importantly, a commitment to giving your very best.

These awards are a fitting acknowledgement of those efforts.

It is likely, however, that those most happy in this room are those who are happy for you – proud of your achievements – your family and your teachers.

I’m well aware that for many of you today, your studies at school last year may feel like a distant memory.

Let me begin by reflecting on one of the prescribed texts in VCE Units 3 & 4 English last year – My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin.

For those of you who have not read – or analysed – this novel, it tells the story of a young woman, Sybylla, growing up in late 19th century Australia.

She speaks of how she was “filled with dreams” of the things she would achieve and of how her “ambition was as boundless as the mighty bush in which [she has] always lived.”

Yet, her talent and determination, she was hemmed in by the restrictive social expectations of her era.

We can be grateful that much has progressed since that time, both in the accessibility to and range of education now available.

All of you stand, not only in a better time, but also at a very exciting moment in your lives, in which you may chase your dreams and your ambition.

Higher education – whether it be at university, TAFE or other forms of education –is one of those times where you can wholeheartedly engage in topics and work that speak to your curiosity, your interests.

For the most part, you can do this because it matters to you – not because someone else is telling you it should.

Some of you may have a very strong sense of what you would like to do in and through your next stage.

For others, you may be in early exploration.

Regardless of where you stand, my advice to you is the same:

Follow what is of interest to you, and you will be engaged.

If you are engaged, you will be open and curious.

If you are open and curious, you will find new paths and interests.

And as you gain knowledge and experience, you will become better at whatever you choose to do.

As Albert Einstein once wrote:

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

It may seem like a simple formula, but finding the enjoyment in what you are doing now is often the best preparation for your future.

Inversely, you may find that you are not as interested in a given topic as you had hoped – also important to informing your path forward.

Either way, I would encourage you to keep an open mind to your future possibilities.

As you embark on your journey, you may find new interests are sparked along the way, and unexpected opportunities may arise.

You have already proven yourself to have talent and discipline – no doubt supported by your teachers, families and friends.

But the path toward what is truly of interest to you is something to discover for yourself.

I would like to congratulate all recipients here today, and I wish you all the best for your future studies – wherever they may take you.

Thank you.