I rise to celebrate three fantastic achievements all linked to the world-leading University of Newcastle. Speaker, if I asked you, 'What do Coldplay and the University of Newcastle have in common,' what would you say? You might be forgiven for having to take a moment to ponder that one, during which I would jump in to say, 'They both have a love of renewable energy, solar energy in particular, and they're both known for their love of innovation.'

British rock legends Coldplay are known for their innovative music and electrifying live performances, and they reached out to Newcastle's Kardinia Energy, who have pioneered the printing of solar panels, to install 500 square metres of printed solar panels for their shows. Invented by the University of Newcastle's Professor Paul Dastoor, the solar panels were placed in the seats behind the stage and elsewhere around the venue to collect power in battery packs that were then used to power the C stage and to fulfill other power needs throughout the venue. The University of Newcastle has partnered with Kardinia Energy to develop this technology which is ultra-lightweight, ultra-flexible, totally recyclable and cheap to manufacture. It's similar in thickness and appearance to a chip packet, and it's manufactured using conventional printers. I am so proud of the world-leading research being undertaken at the University of Newcastle, and it's so great to see their efforts recognised by Coldplay and now the world.

Continuing on with the concept of innovation, Dr Stuart McBratney from the University of Newcastle is about to host the screening of his new feature film, Strangers in a Car Park. The film tells a story of a cleaner working backstage at an awards show who unexpectedly recognises the medalist as her assailant. The story is set primarily in a single location in one night, a concrete car park at the University of Newcastle, where Dr McBratney works as a lecturer. Dr McBratney specialises in simple production methods to produce his masterpieces. Multiple times over, he has demonstrated how the process of making a full-length feature film from conception to production and distribution can be achieved for a reasonable price. This method has been giving Australian actors and filmmakers the opportunity to work on feature films that might otherwise be out of reach.

On his latest production, Strangers in a Car Park, Dr McBratney was able to collaborate with some of his students, who were offered roles in the production, thanks to his methods. This included students enrolled in a variety of programs, including media and communications, law, psychology and business. Congratulations to Dr Stuart McBratney and the team. I am wishing you all the very best for the screening of Strangers in a Car Park this coming Sunday at the Conservatorium of Music in Newcastle. I am sorry I can't be there in person. I've enjoyed your other films immensely.

Stories of Our Town is a series of documentary films that tell the history of Newcastle through the eyes and points of views of Novocastrians who are there. This is an additional project, and these films are produced by Glenn Easton Dormand, also known as Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab, and Tony Whittaker of Carnivore Films. Everything from the story of BHP, the famous Star Hotel riot and our military history to how Newcastle Harbour was once the most dangerous for shipping—they're just some of the stories recounted across 12 extraordinary films. These efforts are possible because of the great partnerships between local filmmakers, the University of Newcastle and Newcastle's major cultural institutions and communities organisations. Stories of Our Town's latest film, Shipwrecked, tells the story of hundreds of shipwrecks in and around Newcastle Harbour has been screened all over Newcastle and the Hunter, and is now available on YouTube.

Mr John Di Gravio OAM, who wears many hats in Newcastle, reached out to me last week asking for my help to ensure Novocastrians and, indeed, the world can continue to enjoy these great films. Stories of Our Town currently has 3,300 subscribers on YouTube, and they need to reach 4,000 on their channel so they can attract some of YouTube's advertising revenue, thus providing them with more funds to make more films. I implore everyone to head to YouTube and subscribe to this essential viewing preserving the stories of our town, so that future generations can enjoy them just as much as we can. I salute the University of Newcastle and the creatives in the city of Newcastle for their innovation and continuous drive for a creative, exciting future.