Thursday, 6 March 2025

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (10:03): 2025 marks the 160th anniversary of St Peter’s primary school in East Bentleigh, which happens to be where I went to school. The school was formed by a group of local market gardeners. In fact legend has it that it was named after Peter Brady, on whose land the original school was built, and not St Peter. Given the school existed well before the parish, this could well be true. The school was originally located directly opposite the site that later became Moorabbin Hospital, before moving many years later to its present location. When I was a student at St Peter’s, Des Dalton was principal, before being succeeded by Lorraine Francis, after whom I have dedicated an award that I present to students throughout my electorate. As the member for Bentleigh it has been a pleasure to work with principals Michael Juliff, Michael Hanney and now Jane Ward.

I was pleased a few years back to deliver funding for an upgrade of the classrooms in the school’s main building, which is serving the students very well. Today a new school oval is about to open, thanks to the tireless work of many families who raised funds, fete after fete after fete after fete for many, many years. I also pay tribute to the three Michaels – principals Juliff and Hanney as well as Father Michael Sierakowski. Without the three Michaels this simply would not be happening. Today St Peter’s is in better shape than ever, largely thanks to the people whom I have named in this statement. It is an outstanding school with a proud history and a bright future.