Melton electorate
Steve McGHIE (Melton) (09:48): Melton has started 2024 hitting the ground running. Throughout January Melton welcomed over 1200 new Australian citizens across three massive ceremonies. These individuals have joined a vibrant and diverse community with endless opportunities, and I welcome all of them to Melton as our newest Australian citizens. On 20 and 21 January I headed to the Melton Recreation Reserve where the Melton CFA hosted the Greater Midlands Fire Brigades Competition for both junior and senior ages. On 26 January I joined the Kirrip organisation’s Survival Day breakfast with members of Melton’s indigenous community. I also visited the Sri Lankan Study Centre for the Advancement of Technology and Social Welfare Sri Lankan multicultural Australia Day celebration with over 100 attendees. Bacchus Marsh had their community open day for their new basketball stadium, and the Plumpton Sikh temple opened up its new sporting facility, and it was a fantastic event. Last Saturday I attended the AG Hunter Cup and the Great Southern Star harness races at the Melton Entertainment Park. This facility is the pinnacle of Melton’s entertainment industry, and it is estimated that this year’s harness racing carnival will generate $4.4 million in economic activity.
Additionally, Melton families now have greater access to special education, with the opening of Dharra specialist school and the brand new high school Yarrabing Secondary College, where our Thornhill Park families are now zoned. It was a pleasure to visit both schools with the member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch. Last Thursday Binap Primary School opened their gates to welcome the grade 1 through to year 6 students, and then on Friday the brand new prep cohort attended. It is fantastic to see this school open, and I have had a great working relationship with the principal Jean Bentley. I welcome the Minister for Education’s visit there next week.