Khalia McWilliams

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Congratulations to Khalia McWilliams, from Rutherford Technology High School, who has created an eco-friendly surfboard aimed at reducing waste in our oceans. A deep love of both the environment and the ocean led Khalia to build the sustainable, fibreglass-free surfboard as part of a school STEM project. Khalia and her Coastal Currents team won the Creative Industries award at this year's Young Business Mind Awards. Utilising bamboo from her mother's garden and a bio-based resin that she made at Rutherford Technology High School, the prototype was conceived after noticing fibreglass and other waste come off a friend's surfboard in the water after a small break in the board. Khalia is thinking big for the future of her surfboard, and is currently seeking investment to build a fully functioning prototype. Khalia's long-term aim is to take the board to market, creating a business with sustainability at its heart. A big thanks and congratulations to Khalia's teacher, Jade Bassett, who also won the Teachers Award with her Women in STEM Industries Initiative, aiming to build capacity in STEM skills and career pathways. Congratulations Khalia on your design and award, and to Jade for being such an inspirational teacher.