Port Stephens school leaders celebrated at annual event

KATE Washington MP held her annual Port Stephens Student Leader morning tea on Friday, 20 February. 

Hosted by Hunter River High School in their newly built Multi Purpose Centre, over 250 student leaders and teachers from across the Port Stephens electorate attended.

Thirty-one schools were in attendance, both primary and secondary, public and independent.

The Member for Port Stephens has been holding this event since 2019.

“I love hosting this event every year so I can bring our wonderful student leaders together and congratulate them on behalf of our community,” Ms Washington said.

“It’s also an opportunity to offer some inspiration and this year it came from our local, world leading marine scientists Dr Dave Harasti and Dr Laura Parker.

“Both speakers shared their globally significant work, setting off sparks amongst the students, who could see that exciting opportunities in science are right on our doorstep.”

Dr Laura Parker is a Senior Research Scientist at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute and a Scientia Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales.

With more than 20 years of experience, her research focuses on understanding how climate change and environmental stress affect marine molluscs such as oysters, mussels and cockles — and how we can breed stronger, more resilient populations for the future.

Laura leads the mollusc aquaculture research division at the Fisheries Institute, working closely with industry and Traditional Owners to support sustainable seafood production, protect regional livelihoods, and strengthen cultural connections to Sea Country.

Dr David Harasti is a Principal Research Scientist at the Fisheries Institute and Deputy Chair of the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee, with over 25 years’ experience in marine biodiversity and threatened species conservation.

He leads pioneering research on marine species recovery, particularly grey nurse sharks and seahorses, as well as innovative habitat restoration initiatives such as “Seahorse Hotels.”

A passionate underwater photographer, he has spent more than 3,000 hours underwater studying and documenting marine life — and has had three marine species named in his honour.