IT’S like backing two horses in the Melbourne Cup and seeing them clear out by five lengths as they pass the Clock Tower!
Whatever happens in the November 26 State Election, Wonthaggi Primary will get a major boost of $6.7 million towards the cost of a new school.
Early in October, the Nationals’ candidate for Bass, Brett Tessari visited the school to ramp up the campaign for $20 million in funding.
On Monday, October 24, Bass MP Labor’s Jordan Crugnale came along, jumping for joy, as the Labor Party committed to spend $6.7 million “to upgrade several buildings that are bursting at the seams and need a lot of love”.
And now the Coalition has matched that with an announcement that “will bring the school into the 21st century”, also committing $6.7 million for the redevelopment project.
It comes after tireless campaigning by the school council, bringing attention to the dilapidated facilities and the dire need for investment in the school’s infrastructure.
The Wonthaggi Primary School Council has worked with school staff and an architect to develop a Master Plan for capital works, with the community now needing certainty on funding.
The Coalition’s promise that the funding will be provided, no matter what the outcome of the election, came on Monday, November 7.
Shadow Minister for Education, David Hodgett, said the school had been overlooked for too long.
“Our students deserve the best education, no matter their postcode,” Mr Hodgett said.
“Students, teachers and families at Wonthaggi Primary School have put up with deteriorating facilities for years and it isn’t acceptable, by any measure.
“The school community has been lobbying for this and has done a lot of the groundwork to get this project up.
“Our commitment today will get this project moving and deliver the facilities the community deserves.”
Liberal Candidate for Bass, Aaron Brown said the funding is a real solution to address the community’s concerns.
“The Wonthaggi Primary School staff have done an outstanding job working in the facilities they have. As a former student and having met with school representatives, it is great that this school will finally get upgrades that match the high-quality teaching,” Mr Brown said.
“I’m proud to be able to commit this funding and put an end to the many compromises the school community has been forced to make.”
The Nationals Candidate for Bass, Brett Tessari, said a significant investment is needed.
“The school dates back to 1911 and there are significant failings, not least of which is the fact that one set of toilets are simply unusable – forcing children to cross to the other side of the school to go to the toilet,” he said.
“After meeting with the school council and seeing the facilities firsthand, it’s clear to see the school needs an upgrade – and this funding will address that.”
Back in October, while visiting the school with her party’s promise, Ms Crugnale insisted that since coming to government, Labor has invested more than $12.8 billion in building and upgrading schools right across state.
“Our commitment was to build 100 new schools by 2026 and with 75 already funded or opened and more than 1,850 upgrades to schools completed, we’ve made a substantial dent in that commitment,” Ms Crugnale said.
She said it builds on other big new builds locally including Bass Coast College’s Wonthaggi Senior and also the Junior campus in San Remo.
“Tthat’s a $80m investment and our kids and teachers are well worth it,” she said.
So it’s been win-win for Wonthaggi Primary School this week, but important work with the town growing strongly and only going to get bigger over the next five to 10 years.