The Allan Labor Government is working to support students with a disability and additional needs through the Inclusive Schools Fund, delivering inclusive play areas, sensory gardens, and outdoor learning spaces.
On Wednesday, Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence announced that as part of this $9 million fund, Craigieburn Primary School will receive more than $229,000 for a new playground that will include accessible equipment, inclusive pathways, and sensory elements.
Since its establishment, around 420 creative projects have been funded through this transformational program, helping build inclusive learning spaces and specially designed accessible playgrounds – ensuring all students are able to fully participate, develop and succeed in Victorian government schools.
The Labor Government launched the Inclusive Schools Fund in 2015 to help schools cater for students whose additional needs require extra facilities. A total of $80 million has been invested to deliver these works throughout Victoria.
For more information about the Inclusive Schools Fund, including a list of recipients, please visit: https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/inclusive-schools-fund.
Quotes attributable to Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence:
“I’m delighted that Craigieburn Primary School was successful in their application for funding through this program.”
“Students at Craigieburn Primary School will now have access to a more inclusive playground, that caters to the needs of all their students.”
The Allan Labor Government is working to support students with a disability and additional needs through the Inclusive Schools Fund, delivering inclusive play areas, sensory gardens, and outdoor learning spaces.
On Wednesday, Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence announced that as part of this $9 million fund, Craigieburn Primary School will receive more than $229,000 for a new playground that will include accessible equipment, inclusive pathways, and sensory elements.
Since its establishment, around 420 creative projects have been funded through this transformational program, helping build inclusive learning spaces and specially designed accessible playgrounds – ensuring all students are able to fully participate, develop and succeed in Victorian government schools.
The Labor Government launched the Inclusive Schools Fund in 2015 to help schools cater for students whose additional needs require extra facilities. A total of $80 million has been invested to deliver these works throughout Victoria.
For more information about the Inclusive Schools Fund, including a list of recipients, please visit: https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/inclusive-schools-fund.
Quotes attributable to Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence:
“I’m delighted that Craigieburn Primary School was successful in their application for funding through this program.”
“Students at Craigieburn Primary School will now have access to a more inclusive playground, that caters to the needs of all their students.”
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:57): As this year draws to a close I would also like to thank my Kalkallo Youth Advisory Council for all the work they have done in 2023. \
This year members focused on the issue of career development and life skills, creating a flyer that acts as a directory to helpful resources via a QR code, which they plan to distribute to secondary schools over the coming weeks.
Thanks to Aarav, Ammar, Anagha, Ashly, Caitlyn, Divjot, Harkirat, Helena, Husain, Jayde, Kayla, Lorjel, Maria, Matthew, Mehar, Nathaniel, Nayush, Omar, Priyanshi, Sarah and Uthish.
I thank all of these members for the work they have done, and I look forward to many of them returning next year on the council, as have many returned from last year.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:57): As this year draws to a close I would also like to thank my Kalkallo Youth Advisory Council for all the work they have done in 2023. \
This year members focused on the issue of career development and life skills, creating a flyer that acts as a directory to helpful resources via a QR code, which they plan to distribute to secondary schools over the coming weeks.
Thanks to Aarav, Ammar, Anagha, Ashly, Caitlyn, Divjot, Harkirat, Helena, Husain, Jayde, Kayla, Lorjel, Maria, Matthew, Mehar, Nathaniel, Nayush, Omar, Priyanshi, Sarah and Uthish.
I thank all of these members for the work they have done, and I look forward to many of them returning next year on the council, as have many returned from last year.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:56): Congratulations to Mount Ridley College student Baylasan Almosa for being a recipient of the 2023 Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.
This competition provides students in years 9 to 12 with an opportunity to explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history and its relevance to developing our diverse and multicultural society.
As part of her application Baylasan recorded a video of herself making Anzac biscuits while reflecting on the Gallipoli campaign and discussing its significant contribution in creating Australia’s identity.
Baylasan will now have the opportunity to tour war memorials, battlefields and commemorative sites in Türkiye, including Gallipoli.
Congratulations again to Baylasan and the 11 other recipients, who have done a fantastic job in reflecting on the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:56): Congratulations to Mount Ridley College student Baylasan Almosa for being a recipient of the 2023 Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.
This competition provides students in years 9 to 12 with an opportunity to explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history and its relevance to developing our diverse and multicultural society.
As part of her application Baylasan recorded a video of herself making Anzac biscuits while reflecting on the Gallipoli campaign and discussing its significant contribution in creating Australia’s identity.
Baylasan will now have the opportunity to tour war memorials, battlefields and commemorative sites in Türkiye, including Gallipoli.
Congratulations again to Baylasan and the 11 other recipients, who have done a fantastic job in reflecting on the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:58): I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alice Hu at Elevation Secondary College for being a recipient of the Victorian Education Excellence Awards in the Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher category.
Alice has applied her expertise in the field of mathematics and created a learning environment focused on high achievement by developing an individualised experience for students of all abilities depending on their specific needs.
Her teaching style in delivering a fully differentiated learning environment for each individual has improved the overall results for students in the field of mathematics.
Before coming to Elevation Secondary College, Alice was focused on improving women’s access to STEM, particularly mathematics, and she brought this passion with her to Craigieburn. Engaging the mathematics department at the University of Melbourne to run workshops at the school, Alice worked with teachers to identify mathematics potential in female students. Over 40 students attended these voluntary workshops, with years 7 to 9 girls now demonstrating higher mastery levels in maths.
These education excellence awards recognise the inspirational work of teachers in our government schools who have gone above and beyond to help their students achieve their very best. Elevation Secondary is an outstanding school in Craigieburn, opened by this government in 2020, and teachers like Alice ensure that is the case.
Congratulations again to Alice for all the work she has done to inspire students and to improve students’ mathematical skills at Elevation Secondary College. You have certainly done an outstanding job in demonstrating why Victoria is the Education State.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:58): I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alice Hu at Elevation Secondary College for being a recipient of the Victorian Education Excellence Awards in the Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher category.
Alice has applied her expertise in the field of mathematics and created a learning environment focused on high achievement by developing an individualised experience for students of all abilities depending on their specific needs.
Her teaching style in delivering a fully differentiated learning environment for each individual has improved the overall results for students in the field of mathematics.
Before coming to Elevation Secondary College, Alice was focused on improving women’s access to STEM, particularly mathematics, and she brought this passion with her to Craigieburn. Engaging the mathematics department at the University of Melbourne to run workshops at the school, Alice worked with teachers to identify mathematics potential in female students. Over 40 students attended these voluntary workshops, with years 7 to 9 girls now demonstrating higher mastery levels in maths.
These education excellence awards recognise the inspirational work of teachers in our government schools who have gone above and beyond to help their students achieve their very best. Elevation Secondary is an outstanding school in Craigieburn, opened by this government in 2020, and teachers like Alice ensure that is the case.
Congratulations again to Alice for all the work she has done to inspire students and to improve students’ mathematical skills at Elevation Secondary College. You have certainly done an outstanding job in demonstrating why Victoria is the Education State.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:54): Last Friday I had the opportunity to officially open the Kalkallo North Community Centre and the Grand Boulevard reserve play space in Craigieburn.
Kalkallo is a rapidly growing suburb in my electorate and is home to thousands of residents, with plenty more to come, which is why I was thrilled to open this brand new, state-of-the-art community centre, ensuring that local residents have access to the services they need closer to home.
The centre includes function spaces, multipurpose community meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, consulting rooms, maternal and child health services, three preschool rooms catering to nearly 200 places and even a tea and coffee station for locals to help themselves to a cuppa.
This facility was a partnership with Hume City Council, with a $5 million investment from the Allan Labor government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and the Building Blocks capacity building grants, along with $4.5 million from council.
Next door to the new Banum Warrik Primary School opening next year, this centre will help minimise the double drop-off and the services on site will be warmly welcomed by the local community.
It was also terrific to open the play space at Grand Boulevard Reserve, featuring a nature play area as well as both junior and senior playgrounds for children.
In another partnership with Hume City Council this project received $2 million in funding from our government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and $4.8 million from council.
This reserve is an outstanding addition to the local community and once complete will include multipurpose sports courts, a BMX track, a skate park and an irrigated kick-out lawn. I look forward to seeing both these important projects put to good use.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:54): Last Friday I had the opportunity to officially open the Kalkallo North Community Centre and the Grand Boulevard reserve play space in Craigieburn.
Kalkallo is a rapidly growing suburb in my electorate and is home to thousands of residents, with plenty more to come, which is why I was thrilled to open this brand new, state-of-the-art community centre, ensuring that local residents have access to the services they need closer to home.
The centre includes function spaces, multipurpose community meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, consulting rooms, maternal and child health services, three preschool rooms catering to nearly 200 places and even a tea and coffee station for locals to help themselves to a cuppa.
This facility was a partnership with Hume City Council, with a $5 million investment from the Allan Labor government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and the Building Blocks capacity building grants, along with $4.5 million from council.
Next door to the new Banum Warrik Primary School opening next year, this centre will help minimise the double drop-off and the services on site will be warmly welcomed by the local community.
It was also terrific to open the play space at Grand Boulevard Reserve, featuring a nature play area as well as both junior and senior playgrounds for children.
In another partnership with Hume City Council this project received $2 million in funding from our government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and $4.8 million from council.
This reserve is an outstanding addition to the local community and once complete will include multipurpose sports courts, a BMX track, a skate park and an irrigated kick-out lawn. I look forward to seeing both these important projects put to good use.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:48): On 29 September the vastly improved Donnybrook Road–Mitchell Street intersection in Kalkallo was officially reopened after a short but intense two-week construction blitz which has completely transformed the intersection.
This $6 million project has brought a huge amount of relief to local commuters with travel times from the exit of the Cloverton estate onto the Hume Freeway cut from an average of 46 minutes to just over 2 minutes.
This relatively simple but absolutely effective upgrade includes a new dedicated left-turn slip lane for southbound travel onto the Hume Freeway as well as widening of the freeway on-ramp, relocation of street lighting and the modification of the roundabout.
Since the intersection opened residents have been in contact with my office to pass on just how much these upgrades have improved their daily commutes to work and to the school drop-off.
Last year I sponsored a petition calling for funding to deliver this incredibly important piece of infrastructure which was intended to provide interim relief pending the future duplication of Donnybrook Road and signalisation of the intersection.
The petition received more than 1300 signatures from local residents, demonstrating just how important this issue is to my local community. That is why I am thrilled that this project is finally complete. The project provides the much-needed relief that residents had been calling for, but I know there is much more to do.
I thank the more than 2200 community members who signed the recent petition calling for funding to commence the future duplication and signalisation works, and I will continue to work with them and continue to advocate for these works that are needed for this growing community.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:48): On 29 September the vastly improved Donnybrook Road–Mitchell Street intersection in Kalkallo was officially reopened after a short but intense two-week construction blitz which has completely transformed the intersection.
This $6 million project has brought a huge amount of relief to local commuters with travel times from the exit of the Cloverton estate onto the Hume Freeway cut from an average of 46 minutes to just over 2 minutes.
This relatively simple but absolutely effective upgrade includes a new dedicated left-turn slip lane for southbound travel onto the Hume Freeway as well as widening of the freeway on-ramp, relocation of street lighting and the modification of the roundabout.
Since the intersection opened residents have been in contact with my office to pass on just how much these upgrades have improved their daily commutes to work and to the school drop-off.
Last year I sponsored a petition calling for funding to deliver this incredibly important piece of infrastructure which was intended to provide interim relief pending the future duplication of Donnybrook Road and signalisation of the intersection.
The petition received more than 1300 signatures from local residents, demonstrating just how important this issue is to my local community. That is why I am thrilled that this project is finally complete. The project provides the much-needed relief that residents had been calling for, but I know there is much more to do.
I thank the more than 2200 community members who signed the recent petition calling for funding to commence the future duplication and signalisation works, and I will continue to work with them and continue to advocate for these works that are needed for this growing community.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:49): It has been a busy month in Wallan, with the official opening of Wallan Secondary College’s sports pavilion and the Greenhill recreation reserve oval upgrade and playground upgrade.
The new pavilion at Wallan Secondary, which received over $533,000 in funding from the Allan Labor government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, includes two female-friendly change rooms and umpire rooms, accessible toilets and a kiosk.
This is a terrific addition to the school, and it will also benefit both the Wallan Magpies football club and the Wallan Kookaburras district cricket club, who will now have the chance to even further boost participation with this facility, particularly amongst women and girls.
The oval at the Greenhill recreation reserve has also seen an upgrade, supported by $106,000 from our country football and netball program.
This upgrade delivered the reshaping of the main oval to remove low spots, and the installation of drainage in sections of the field, works that will eliminate water ponding caused by heavy rainfall.
Thank you also to Mitchell Shire Council and Cricket Victoria for their partnership in delivering both of these important projects.
While at the reserve I also had the opportunity to open the upgraded playground, which was supported by a $110,000 investment from the Allan Labor government.
Delivered in partnership with Mitchell Shire Council, the playground includes two multipurpose play units, climbing rocks, double swings and more trees, as well as new seating and furniture.
These projects were much needed, and they will no doubt be well utilised and warmly welcomed by the Wallan residents. I am thrilled that this government has continued to support this terrific community.
Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:49): It has been a busy month in Wallan, with the official opening of Wallan Secondary College’s sports pavilion and the Greenhill recreation reserve oval upgrade and playground upgrade.
The new pavilion at Wallan Secondary, which received over $533,000 in funding from the Allan Labor government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, includes two female-friendly change rooms and umpire rooms, accessible toilets and a kiosk.
This is a terrific addition to the school, and it will also benefit both the Wallan Magpies football club and the Wallan Kookaburras district cricket club, who will now have the chance to even further boost participation with this facility, particularly amongst women and girls.
The oval at the Greenhill recreation reserve has also seen an upgrade, supported by $106,000 from our country football and netball program.
This upgrade delivered the reshaping of the main oval to remove low spots, and the installation of drainage in sections of the field, works that will eliminate water ponding caused by heavy rainfall.
Thank you also to Mitchell Shire Council and Cricket Victoria for their partnership in delivering both of these important projects.
While at the reserve I also had the opportunity to open the upgraded playground, which was supported by a $110,000 investment from the Allan Labor government.
Delivered in partnership with Mitchell Shire Council, the playground includes two multipurpose play units, climbing rocks, double swings and more trees, as well as new seating and furniture.
These projects were much needed, and they will no doubt be well utilised and warmly welcomed by the Wallan residents. I am thrilled that this government has continued to support this terrific community.
Earlier this week incoming Premier Jacinta Allan announced her first Cabinet, with Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Carers and Volunteers in addition to retaining her role as Minister for Community Sport.
In these roles, Minister Spence will continue to be responsible for important local investments such as the Labor Government’s $5 million investment in Stage 1 of the Greenhill Recreation Reserve development.
Since Ms Spence joined the Cabinet in 2020, she has held roles as Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Suburban Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and Minister for Youth.
The newly sworn-in Allan Labor Government will continue to deliver on important projects in the Kalkallo electorate, including the Watson Street Interchange and a new kinder at Wallan Secondary College.
Quotes attributable to Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence:
“I’m delighted that Premier Allan has appointed me as Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Carers and Volunteers, in addition to continuing my work as Minister for Community Sport.”
“I’m looking forward to getting on with the job and continuing to deliver on the agenda of this Government, both as a local Member of Parliament and as a Minister.”
Earlier this week incoming Premier Jacinta Allan announced her first Cabinet, with Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Carers and Volunteers in addition to retaining her role as Minister for Community Sport.
In these roles, Minister Spence will continue to be responsible for important local investments such as the Labor Government’s $5 million investment in Stage 1 of the Greenhill Recreation Reserve development.
Since Ms Spence joined the Cabinet in 2020, she has held roles as Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Suburban Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and Minister for Youth.
The newly sworn-in Allan Labor Government will continue to deliver on important projects in the Kalkallo electorate, including the Watson Street Interchange and a new kinder at Wallan Secondary College.
Quotes attributable to Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence:
“I’m delighted that Premier Allan has appointed me as Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Carers and Volunteers, in addition to continuing my work as Minister for Community Sport.”
“I’m looking forward to getting on with the job and continuing to deliver on the agenda of this Government, both as a local Member of Parliament and as a Minister.”