I congratulate Mahdis Niroomand Komsari from Heritage College Lake Macquarie whose striking HSC Visual Arts work has been selected for the prestigious FIRST Class 25 Exhibition at the Lake Macquarie Art Gallery. Mahdis is an extremely talented young artist, her work titled 'Zal is Me, Simurgh is My Teacher, Shahnameh is My Journey', explores themes of migration, belonging and resilience across three works using dry point etching and inspired by the Persian epic Shahnameh. Through her work Mahdis reflects on her own journey while connecting with the powerful stories and symbolism of the Shahnameh. Her work speaks about displacement, the guidance of teachers and mentors, and the hope that comes with new beginnings. It is thoughtful, personal and deeply connected to her cultural heritage. Being selected for the FIRST Class 25 Exhibition is a significant achievement and recognises some of the most talented young artists from across our region. Mahdis should be very proud of this accomplishment, and I wish her every success as she continues to develop her artistic talents.