Wednesday, 19 March 2025

 David HODGETT (Croydon) (09:41): With the Victorian state budget to be announced in around two months, I want to speak on one of my terrific local schools, Melba College. Melba College have been patiently waiting for the funding to complete stage 3 of their school build. Over the years funding has been promised repeatedly and even withdrawn in one budget, leaving the school and wider community feeling disheartened by the process and left without any timeframe on the completion of their school. With stage 1 of the school build completed in 2018 and then stage 2 shortly after in 2020, when will the school finally see stage 3 completed? It is so important if you are going to invest in the redevelopment of a school that you actually finish the job. It is now five years on, and the school is still in limbo as to when they will see the funding to complete their school. I urge the Minister for Education to ensure that the funding for the stage 3 works at Melba College is delivered in the 2025–‍26 state budget. The new oval and performing arts space would be a true asset to not only the school but also the broader community. The school and broader community have waited long enough. Now is the time to deliver on your promise and deliver the funding to complete the long-overdue stage 3 works at Melba College.