The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is delighted to see local schools among those receiving much needed funds in the 2022-2023 State Budget.
Yinnar Primary School is set to receive $7.3 million for a major rebuild, while South Gippsland Specialist School will receive $3.6 million to help transform their facility.
Mr O’Brien wrote to the Minister for Education earlier this year after visiting Yinnar Primary and seeing first-hand the desperate need for a complete rebuild.
“The current building at Yinnar Primary School was cobbled together from two buildings relocated from the former Yallourn township almost 50 years ago, meaning the buildings themselves are even older than that,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It was clear that the building, which is deteriorating and suffers serious leaks whenever it rains, is out of date and not fit for purpose.
“I am delighted that the Yinnar school community will now be able to benefit from a new modern facility that is more conducive to a healthy learning environment.”
Mr O’Brien said he had called to speak with staff at the South Gippsland Specialist School as soon as he saw the funding listed in the Budget papers.
“It was evident that they are very excited about how this funding will be utilised to benefit the students and wider school community.
“The funds will be used to upgrade and modernise the current school facilities to ensure that local students are receiving the best education possible.”
Mr O’Brien said while Yinnar Primary School and the South Gippsland Specialist Schools were the big winners there were other schools in Gippsland South that remained in need of urgent funding.
“I will continue to work towards securing funds for projects like the completion of Foster Primary School and the rebuild of Sale College.
“Living regionally shouldn’t mean you don’t get the same educational opportunities as our city counterparts. I will continue to advocate for a fair share for our local country schools.”