Thursday, 26 May 2022

Pitsa Binnion and Marilyn Koolstra

Mr STAIKOS (Bentleigh) (10:05): I rise to pay tribute to two outstanding principals in the Bentleigh electorate who have recently announced their retirement at the end of the year—firstly, Pitsa Binnion of McKinnon Secondary College. Pitsa has been principal of McKinnon Secondary College for the last 15 years, and it is fair to say that McKinnon in that time has become unrecognisable. I have particularly valued working with Pitsa, and we have achieved quite a bit for that school together, including and most notably the addition of a second campus to McKinnon Secondary College, which opened this year.

I would also like to pay tribute to Marilyn Koolstra of Valkstone Primary School. Marilyn has been principal of Valkstone for more than 20 years, but her association with that school dates back to 1957, when the school opened and she was among the first students to start at Valkstone. Valkstone is no longer the small school that it was when Marilyn began as principal. It is a highly sought after school. I think both Pitsa and Marilyn are to be commended for the commitment and the dedication that they have demonstrated to two outstanding local schools.