HUGS, football and a fire pit were all part of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's visit to a Border preschool on Thursday.
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While Sydney radio host Ray Hadley was querying the leader's support of an inquiry into exotic circus animals, Ms Berejiklian was being ribbed about tigers.
But they weren't big top cats, rather the Tigers of the AFL, with West Albury Preschooler Eddie Friedlieb's Richmond shirt generating mirth in the wake of the Premier witnessing Greater Western Sydney's belting in last Saturday's grand final.
"I follow two teams (in the AFL)," Ms Berejiklian said, referencing the Sydney Swans the team her colleague the member for Albury Justin Clancy supports.
The Premier was more comfortable giving the boys and girls (brought in during their holidays) high fives, quizzing them about the alphabet and if they knew her job title and duties.
Ex-pupil Banjo Hogan, 7, who came with brother Eddie, 4, said she was the "king of the state".
Ms Berejiklian entertained the circle of youngsters sitting before her by reading a page of The Runaway Hug, a picture book that tells the story of Lucy, a girl who shares embraces with her mum, dad, siblings and dog Annie.
She was there to cuddle up to the school, handing out $8212 for a fire pit and seating as part of $137,947 being distributed to 16 early childhood hubs across the Albury electorate.
"We know the more they learn whilst they're at preschool the better prepared they are for big school," Ms Berejiklian told the media.
Having learnt more about life in Albury, the Premier then soon afterwards headed for the airport and a return to the circus of life in Sydney.