Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Mooroopna secondary education

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that Mooroopna lost its Secondary College last year, along with significant sporting grounds and facilities.

The community wants guarantees that the site will not be repurposed and instead reopened as soon as possible with a fully funded master plan which integrates Riverlinks Westside and Gemmill Swamp Nature Conservation Reserve into the school’s significant bordering sites as shared use agreements.

A special relationship with Mooroopna Park Primary School should be established. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Census, the community needs a high school as appropriate feeder schools are already in place.

The vision of educational innovation at a significant site is fully supported by a community grieving the loss of their Secondary College. To signal a new era, it should be renamed Gaiyila College and Gemmill Swamp should be renamed Gemmill Gakan. A canteen, school library and sporting grounds need to be fit for purpose so Mooroopna’s reputable sporting clubs can help revitalise school activities.

This development will not only benefit the school but the wider community who will make use of the facilities and will be a source of pride and wellbeing.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to ensure a high quality and high equity local high school in Mooroopna is opened as soon as possible and, as a matter of urgency, investigate all structural and safety issues, survey all school assets and subject dedicated spaces, gardens and sporting facilities, and draw up and fund a master plan informed by the Yorta Yorta Nation, with capital works investment to follow.

By Ms LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (1047 signatures).

Laid on table.

Ms LOVELL: I move:

That the petition be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.