Tuesday, 21 June 2022

 Mr McGHIE (Melton) (12:52): The Melton electorate has been getting A-plus results from the recent budget. Last week I turned the sod at the new Rockbank Murry Road children’s and community centre site in Thornhill Park. This is right next to the new primary school in Thornhill Park that will open to students next year. Across the fields, land will be purchased for a new secondary school in Cobblebank to go with the new Strathtulloh Primary School, which opened this year with 728 kids. Land will also be purchased for a new primary school in Weir Views, and Brookfield primary school has been fast-tracked, opening in 2024. Staughton College was excited to learn that a massive $31.77 million has been allocated to upgrade and modernise the school, including replacing the existing temporary facilities and adding an additional 400 spaces in permanent facilities to meet growing demand. This will help our wonderful educators to continue to deliver high-quality education to Melton students.

Investment in our schools’ infrastructure is important but even more so are our wonderful educators. I congratulate Christine Butcher from Kurunjang Primary School and Helen Kelly from Bacchus Marsh college for 40 years of service, and Judith Meikle from Staughton College on an amazing 50 years of service. What an amazing effort by these three women. Thank you for supporting hundreds of students over many decades. Top-quality education is the result of this Andrews Labor government’s investment in education.