Zoe Moffatt
Students in Macedon will soon be able to enjoy improved school facilities, with Bolinda and Kyneton Primary Schools receiving funding for renovations.
Bolinda Primary School will receive $498,351 to refurbish the school’s toilets, while Kyneton Primary School will receive $399,576 to repair the school oval.
While toilets might not seem like a big deal, Bolinda principal Jordan Chamerski said it helps to bring the school in line with others in the area.
“I put the application in earlier in the year and I didn’t know how successful we were going to be but took a chance anyway,” he said.
“Our toilets… feel like they’re from the 70s and needed an upgrade. To get this funding has been brilliant for our school community.”
The school also had its cubbyhouse, fences and the shed repainted in the September school holidays, and Mr Chamerski said these works highlight that while the school might be small, it is still being prioritised.
“It’s feeling like the school is starting to get a facelift which is fantastic,” he said.
Fellow recipient, Kyneton Primary School, will use its funding for works on the school oval, which will include drainage and growing natural turf.
Principal Alister Rayner said the school wasn’t able to use any of the new school build fund at the time for irrigation, which meant that the oval deteriorated.
“We’re delighted to receive the funding which will make [the oval] much more usable for our children,” Mr Rayner said.
“The work should start half way through next year- but is always dependent on weather- and it should hopefully be finalised by 2025.
“This will mean that [the oval] will become available again for community events.”
The funding has been allocated from the Minor Capital Works Fund, which has funded other initiatives, including interior and exterior building repairs, oval repairs and improvements to sports courts.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said every Victorian deserves world-class learning facilities, no matter where they live.
“Investing in upgrades at Kyneton and Bolinda primary schools means children and staff will have the best facilities to learn and teach,” she said.
