CEFA Executive Director Mrs Kerry Jones opened the parliamentary sitting with a discussion on the importance of each child’s vote in the class elections for the Rozelle School Members of Parliament. She emphasized each student’s role as a participator in the Parliament as essential for the school democracy. After her presentation of the School Parliamentary Mace to the Serjeant-at-Arms, Angus, the parliamentary session was addressed by the girl and boy Prime Ministers followed by the Treasurer who reported that over $300 had been raised for charity through fund raising.

The Serjeant-at-Arms called on each of the Senators who reported the major issues they had recorded from their own class meetings. The need for an interactive white board was a common theme across each class. The CEFA School Mentor, Mr Victor Alberts OAM, then presented the school with CEFA resource posters covering the history of Australia’s Federation and Constitution and the history of migration to Australia since World War II. Mr Alberts told the children that he had been a student at Rozelle Public School when he was five years old at the end of World War II . Mr Alberts went on to establish a major Australian Printing Company in the Balmain area and shortly will present an original printing machine to the school. 

Following the Rozelle Parliamentary Session, Mrs Jones said “the Rozelle Primary CEFA School Parliament was a delight to visit. This is a school with an extraordinary history dating back to many years before the Australian Constitution was written. Opened in 1878 by the honourable M Fitzpatrick, Colonial Secretary, the school has since been attended by thousands of young Australians who include the Former Governor-General the Right Honourable  Sir John Kerr. He attended Rozelle in the 1920s before going to Fort Street Boys High School”. Mrs Jones added “I congratulate the Rozelle students, the Principal Mrs Lyn Doppler and the teacher Mr Peter Vagne. They are making a wonderful contribution to Australian democracy and civics education through the Rozelle Public School Parliament. I look forward to following the exciting developments of the Rozelle School Parliament and wish the students a successful future”.