Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Members statements

Berwick College

Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:37): This week the Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins came to Berwick College along with me and Mr Tarlamis to officially open the school’s health and wellbeing centre. It was fantastic to celebrate this wonderful facility for the school along with the principal Kerri Bolch, who opened this amazing centre that supports and nurtures the school’s students. Berwick College and their late school council president Roger Hall have worked tirelessly in recent years in acknowledging, supporting and taking proactive measures to assist students who are experiencing mental health challenges. The health and wellbeing centre is a result of their understanding about the needs of students who may struggle within or outside the school.

I do wish to make special mention of Roger Hall, the school council president who served in that role and on the council for more than 30 years. Roger passed away while still acting as council president and did not get to have the full recognition he deserved for such a long voluntary contribution for the betterment of the school community and for the broader Berwick community.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge the Rotary Club of Berwick for their generous contribution of a lot of equipment for the centre. Proudly this Andrews Labor government has supported the school’s vision for the health and wellbeing centre and funded the project with $1.3 million, while the school also made a significant contribution. It was fantastic to visit the site along with Minister Hutchins and Mr Tarlamis to meet with Kerri Bolch and the centre manager Kyra Dawson, and I congratulate the school on their efforts.