Blackwood and Shing supporting Hill End
Local politicians have united in their pressure on Education Minister James Merlino to retain the former Hill End school site for community use.
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood spoke in state parliament last week, calling on the minister to intervene in the site’s sale to ensure it remained available for community use.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said she also had actively pursued the matter in parliament and with the minister, saying she and Mr Blackwood were “on a joint ticket on this one.”
The state government has proposed to rezone the former school site to enable the property to be sold, after the Education and Training Department deemed the site surplus to its needs.
The proposal was met with strong opposition from the Hill End community who have utilised the site as a community hub and meeting place for the past 10 years.
Baw Baw Shire Council considered purchase of the site in April. The valuer-general’s office valued the 0.8 hectare property and buildings at $100,000, which had not been budgeted for by council.
Mr Blackwood told parliament the Hill End Community Inc (HECI) was maintaining the site without any support from state or local government and their success in doing so demonstrated how valuable the site was to the local community.
“HECI have been a very proactive, self-sufficient group, relying on their own initiative and resources to not only maintain this site on behalf of the department but also strengthening the very fabric of the community.
“The school building has become the community hub due to the hard work and commitment of the HECI committee, and it hosts regular community events that are well supported by the local and broader community,” he said.
Mr Blackwood said there had been a lack of consultation between government departments and HECI about the proposed sale of the site.
“There has been no regard shown for the achievements of HECI in terms of community benefit and maintenance of the former school over the past 10 years.
“It is very disappointing that no community consultation has taken place regarding the future use of the site in the context of the inherent value to the community provided at the site by HECI,” Mr Blackwood said.
Council last month opposed the proposed rezoning and sale, instead supporting the Environment, Land, Water and Planning Department taking over the site and entering into a formal arrangement with Hill End Community Inc.
At the time, Cr Danny Goss criticised Ms Shing on not stepping up to deal with the matter.
“Harriet Shing has been missing in action,” saying she did not appear interested in the matter.
Cr Goss said Ms Shing’s office was contacted and it was two months before she was available to see community members.
“I am not impressed at all…this is a very real issue for these people. This is a joke. It’s the state government’s greedy grab for money,” he said.
But Ms Shing said she had done a lot of work on the matter, meeting with the relevant ministers and Mr Blackwood over a period of time.
She admitted she was unavailable for a meeting due to budget and parliamentary inquiry commitments. “But that’s not to say I didn’t walk and chew gum at the same time as far as taking action on this,” she said.
“My very clear preference is based on community feedback. I have asked that the community views on this are an absolute priority.
“I want to see it resolved as quickly as possible. Because of all the toing and froing, it has already caused the community a lot of angst,” she said.
Ms Shing said she hoped to see both the former Hill End and Yarragon school sites retained for community use.
She said Hill End particularly needed to retain the site because it hosted many events and exhibitions. “It’s a community hub and there is no other infrastructure in that community.”
Lorna Parke has been honoured for her long-standing dedication to Jindivick.
After more than eight decades of dedicated service to the Jindivick community, Lorna Parke has recently been acknowledged for her many years of service to the Jindivick Mechanic Institute by being awarded a lifetime membership.
Over 50 years, Lorna held many roles on the Jindivick Mechanics Institute Committee of Management, as well as active involvement in many events held at the hall such as the annual Jindivick Craft and Flower show.
Her community work was acknowledged in 2008 with an Australia Day Medallion.
Jindivick Mechanics Institute chairman Mary-Royce Hall said the committee acknowledged the outstanding dedication of Lorna to the Jindivick community.
“Her dedication and counsel to the Jindivick Mechanic Institute Committee of Management has been consistent over many decades and much appreciated by the Jindivick community,” she said.
Moving to Jindivick 1933 as a young girl, Lorna was entrenched within the community early.
When asked to reflect on those early years at the Lifetime membership award presentation, Lorna said she had many lovely memories coming and going from the hall as a shy young girl, teenager and into later life.
“My father was on the hall committee, seemed fitting to join in,” she said.
“I have seen many changes to the hall and it has been a good job.”
After many years dedicated service, Lorna gave notice to resign from her role as a committee of management member of the Jindivick Mechanics Institute recently but promised to maintain an active interest.
“We will miss Lorna Parke’s involvement with the day to day running of our community hall,” Ms Hall said.
“Lorna has contributed and invested a large amount of time, effort and knowledge over the years.
“We thank her for volunteering, her dedicated association and for providing an example of commitment to the community to which we can all aspire to. it
“We recognise her years of service that made a difference to her community’s progress to succeed.”
The Jindivick Mechanics Institute will hold a public meeting on June 15 and new members are welcome.
For further information contact Mary-Royce Hall on 0411 338 904 or email chairpersonhall@Jindivck.org.au.