The team were invited for lunch by Federal MP Ann Sudmalis after she heard about their success in robotics. As part of the government’s digital agenda focus she decided to invite the team along as her guests when the Prime Minister visited the South Coast. 

“It’s important to showcase local kids,” Mrs Sudmalis said.

“It was a unique opportunity for them.

“They were pretty stoked,” she said.

Prime Minister Turnbull had a number of other guests to meet, however he managed to spend a short time with the Ulladulla High School students to congratulate them on their robotics success.

The team has been caught up in a whirlwind couple of weeks after winning the Australian Regionals First Robotics Competition in Sydney earlier in March.

They are now frantically trying to raise enough money to get themselves to the next level of competition in St Louis, America at the end of April. 

The trip will cost almost $50 000 and while their $6500 entry fee was paid by Google, there is still a long way to go before they have enough to get the whole team over there.

Shelly Young has taken on the role of fundraising coordinator for the team and is in the process of organising a fundraising dinner, a silent auction and a raffle for the team. 

The dinner will be held at the ExServos on April 8 from 6.30pm. The cost is $50 and includes a two course meal. People can also purchase a virtual ticket to support the team if they are unable to attend. See the ExServos website for more details.

There will be entertainment provided by students from the school as well as a silent auction with plenty of great prizes donated by local businesses on the night.

They have already raised $7000 and are “overwhemlmed by the community support” according to teacher, Andrew Lake.

“The short term goal is to get the kids to America, but the long term goal is to keep the program running for future students to benefit from,” said Mr Lake.