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Education | November 26, 2020

Lowan schools receive much-needed funding

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has paid tribute to the Warracknabeal and Hamilton communities, after years of tireless advocacy was rewarded with confirmation of funding for school redevelopments in this week’s state budget.

The state government announced $19.8 million in May for the Warracknabeal Education Precinct, to ensure every stage of a project to co-locate Warracknabeal Secondary College, Warracknabeal Primary School and Warracknabeal Special Development School would be completed.

Ms Kealy has fought alongside the Warracknabeal community for more than five years, and said the confirmation of funding after so many years of uncertainty was very welcome news.

“I commend Warracknabeal teachers, students and families for taking up this fight and never giving up – it is because of their unrelenting advocacy that the government finally listened and gave this project the funding it deserved,” she said.

“To everyone who gave their voice and time to the campaign for this project, thank you – your advocacy will make an immeasurable difference to students and teachers for many years to come.”

Ms Kealy said confirmation of $8.32 million for Baimbridge College in Hamilton to finish stage one of its new school allowed the school to move forward on designs and construction with security, after funding was announced earlier this year.

The money will go towards administration, science and technology, and food technology facilities.

“The college’s redevelopment started in 2016, so it is pleasing for the teachers, students and their families to see this project finally able to progress. It is a vital redevelopment that will ensure the school’s facilities reflect the level of education it provides,” Ms Kealy said.

“I congratulate the many people who have campaigned for this redevelopment, and who have not stopped advocating for the students of Hamilton to have the public education facilities they deserve. It’s taken hundreds of petition signatures, countless letters to the Minister for Education and the Premier, and many visits from MPs to inspect the state of existing buildings, but we finally got there.”

Ms Kealy was also pleased that Rainbow P-12 College, Horsham Special School and Natimuk Primary School would share in a funding for upgrades, however she said she was disappointed that funding had not flowed to some of the areas that were hardest hit financially this year with the COVID-19 pandemic, such as border communities.