Lauren Kathage MP (13:52)

In September I was really happy to attend the Whittlesea Secondary College production of Chicago. It was fantastic, and it turns out that their production did not just capture audiences’ imaginations; it has also captured three nominations for the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria awards: one nomination for lead performer in a male presenting role for Daniel Martin; for lead performer in a female presenting role for Ally Chesswas, who played Velma Kelly; and also for musical direction, which is really a nod to Shaun Geerlings-Parker, choreographer Brittany Holland and of course Kristen Jean.

Productions like these really build the spirit and the joy of attending a local college, and one of the things I am most proud of about their nomination is who they are up against. They are up against some of the private schools with bigger budget productions, and Whittlesea Secondary College is taking it right up to them with their fantastic production of Chicago. What a fantastic true testament to how great Victorian government schools can be.

The winners of the awards will be announced at the guild’s 36th annual Bruce Awards next month, and I want to take the opportunity to wish Whittlesea Secondary College the very best success. They are already winners.