Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)—Dan Wilson, a resident of Merewether and a teacher at Lambton High, has volunteer his services to Star Struck for more than two decades.

Now Star Struck's musical director, Dan has seen talents as diverse as country musicians Catherine Britt and Kirsty Lee Akers, Michelle Davidson of Play school and Broadway star David Harris pass through the annual school performing arts showcase. Dan himself performed at Star Struck in 1993 when he attended the Charlestown electorate's own Kotara High.

But it was the surprise appearance during an October Zoom meeting by ARIA winner and Warners Bay High graduate Morgan Evans, another Star Struck alumnus Dan has worked with, that kicked off Dan's own journey to the ARIA Awards.

Dan was nominated for Music Teacher of the Year, and his name was listed alongside some of the biggest Australian music industry when the nominations for the 2021 ARIA Awards were released. Though Dan didn't clinch the top award, his legacy speaks for itself. As Dan himself told the Newcastle Herald, "[Star Struck] is part of Newcastle's DNA." Too true—congratulations, Dan!

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!