Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Belmore School

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (13:36): Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit Belmore School in my great community of Kew. It was two years ago next month that I last visited. Thanks to the Allan Labor government the Belmore School received $9.67 million in upgrade and modernisation funds in the 2020–21 budget. This is part of Victoria’s largest ever single investment into upgrading specialist schools, with 39 sharing $388.8 million. I am pleased to report that the modernisation of block A and the construction of the brand new library are complete.

I want to thank everybody involved in making this possible, from the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education in the other place to the hardworking team at the Victorian School Building Authority and principal Amanda White. The team pulled through. It was a massive challenge for the school, keeping all the classes running, pick-up and drop-off times unchanged and, all in all, the mix of the construction work. But we got it done, and I want to thank James Millar Architects and SJ Higgins for the construction of their work. Thank you to the hardworking teaching staff and support staff for pulling together so these young kids have a chance.

It was extra special to have the chance to catch up with student leader Livian, two years older and still a role model for all the students. Only a Labor government can deliver for our next generation.