The new pavilion was funded with a $246,000 Federal Government grant under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, and $687,000 from Maroondah City Council’s Capital Works Program.

 The Heathmont Reserve pavilion is home to a number of groups including Heathmont Baseball Club and Heathmont Baptist Cricket Club.

 I first visited the old AG Lavis Pavilion at the invitation of Mark McGrew, the President of the Heathmont Baseball Club.

The old pavilion was in very bad shape, leaking in the rain, dark and inaccessible in places, only one change room and catering facilities that were difficult to use.

 Walking through the old pavilion it was clear that the facility was well past its use by date and was no longer meeting the needs of the club or the broader community.

 The new multipurpose building has been built using a tilt slab structure, this process ensured that the building was built in a short time-frame; it is a building that will stand the test of time and has the advantage of being a low maintenance building.

 The new facility includes two changing rooms and associated showers, female and male all-access toilet facilities, kitchen facilities, a social area and bi-fold doors that open onto a deck area overlooking the oval and baseball batting mound.

 A lot of thought went into the construction of the facility, with the outdoor roof specifically designed to ensure that the baseball diamond won’t impacted by shadows during game times.

 Other major improvements to the facility include new tiered outdoor seating area next to the pavilion, which offers spectators an uninterrupted view of the field.

 The new state of the art multi-purpose facility will provide an opportunity to expand social and sporting participation for families, female teams and people with a disability.

 With separate change rooms and toilet facilities both male and female competitors can use the facility.

The new facility will also be available for local community groups to use as a community room.

 In the area of Heathmont there are few community spaces so this addition will be very welcome.

 In the Maroondah area this funding has helped to deliver for the community the new $2.4 million multi-purpose Soccer pavilion in Ringwood, upgrade to Dorset Golf Course and will deliver the Croydon Youth and Skate Space.

This project is yet another example of the benefits of the Federal Government working with local councils directly to fund community infrastructure.

 This grant will help double the size of the practice, making space for two extra full-time doctors who will see around an additional 2,000 patients yearly.

I met with Dr Dilip Hoole, the Director of GP services at the clinic, who has driven the project to upgrade the clinic.

This grant will enable the clinic to renovate a 1950’s building that has seen better days.  The $150,000 will remove steps at the entrance and move the treatment room to the ground floor, helping the elderly and injured use the clinic.

 The grant will increase the number of consulting rooms from four to six, add two mental health rooms and a new nurses room and treatment room downstairs, the clinics pathology lab will also be moved downstairs.

 This grant is great value for the Government, the clinic will now have 6 consulting rooms, new treatment and psychology rooms.

 More people will be able to access a GP locally and patients will no longer have to climb the stairs to access medical help.

 Making sure families can access the healthcare they need close to home is a key part of the Gillard Government’s Health Reforms and these grants are making this happen.

 Over $54 million of grants to local GP Clinics will be delivered nationally under the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants program.   35 GP clinics in Victoria will benefit from a Primary Infrastructure Grant.

 This builds on our record investment in health which includes $5.7 million for an additional 20 beds at Maroondah Hospital and 10 beds at Angliss and a 43% increase in the number of Doctors being trained in Victoria. 

 The Federal Government is providing $244,000 to Maroondah Council, the council is contributing $372,000 towards the project, which has a total cost of $616,000.

The money is allocated to build a brand new skate park and youth facility in the Croydon Parklands.

 The current skate park is old, run down and unsafe. This new park will provide an exciting, new and safer environment for young people in Croydon to enjoy, whether they skate board, roller blade, scoot or ride a BMX. 

One of the key elements of the design is a 800m² skate area with a street plaza, mini ramps and open ended bowl which will greatly improve on the current skating facilities in Croydon.

The area will have shaded sections and flood lighting so that the area can be used for more hours in the day.

Next to this will be a concrete activity court will provide space for people to play a range of informal ball sports including soccer and volleyball.

There will also be a stage area which will provide an opportunity for live performances to be held inside the park.

The installation of CCTV camera at the site will also give parents greater peace of mind, as they will provide a direct feedback to Croydon Police Station.

A new all-abilities toilet block is also proposed to be built near the tennis club car park, with wider paths being created linking the two areas.

The new youth space will be a safe place for young people to skate and play sports.

This funding has been delivered under the third round of the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) which funds community projects.

 The Federal Government has also funded the development of the AG Lewis Baseball Pavilion in Heathmont, new faciltiies at Dorset Golf Club and the new Multi Purpose Soccer Pavilion at Jubillee Park under the RCLIP program.

Working closely with the council the Federal Government’s RCLIP program has delivered modern facilities for all the community to use.

I commend the work of Maroondah Council and admire the open process and accountability of the council’s use of the RCLIP funds to upgrade locally sporting and community facilities.

 I look forward to the completion of the Croydon Youth Space and when the community can get a look at the new facility.

 The school has been nominated for the 2011 Victorian Super Site award which is presented each year to the top school or after-school care centre delivering the Australian Government’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program in Victoria.

Kalinda Priamry School in Croydon provide an Active After-school Communities program for students after school hours.  The program on the day of visiting was a tennis program helping students learn tennis and keep fit and healthy.

It’s great seeing children participating in sport though the Active After-school Communities program.  This Federal program delivers sporting programs to local children after school hours.

Kalinda students really enjoy the opportunity to play sport after school, learning new skills, making friends and who knows how far it could take them.

 Children at Kalinda have had the opportunity to get active after school by trying activities including dance, martial arts, triathlon, tennis and softball.

 A total of 20 government and non-government schools participate in the after school sports programs locally, this scheme makes a great contribution to keeping students active and trialling new sports.

 School principal Gail Pollard said, “We are really proud the difference the AASC program is making.  Because it’s fun and non-competitive, even the most inactive kids are joining in and developing more healthy habits.”

 The program aims to enhance the physical activity levels of Australian primary school children by helping them to develop a love of sport that inspires them to join a local sporting club.

 The 2011 Victorian Super Site will be announced later in the month and will receive a trophy and a $500 voucher to purchase much needed sporting equipment.

 The AASC program is an Australian Government initiative delivered by the Australian Sports Commission in up to 3,270 schools and out of school care centres across Australia.

 Each term, up to 190,000 children participate in up to 70 different sports and 20 structured physical activities after school.

 For more information about the AASC program visit ausport.gov.au/aasc.

The  new grades 5 and 6 learning environment adopts the latest in building desing for negotiatted curriculum and inquiry based learning.  The furniture in the centre space is portable so that students can manipulate it how they see fit for their learning.  Heathmont East Primary School received $2,875,000 under the National School Pride (NSP) program and Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the BER. It has been fantastic to see the principal, school staff, parents and tradespeople working together to deliver these important projects. Now that they are completed, teachers and students in our local schools will be teaching and learning in 21st Century facilities that they so richly deserve.  The $1.28 billion NSP program is providing funding to more than 9400 eligible schools in every state and territory for minor infrastructure and refurbishment.  The $14.1 billion P21 element is providing funding to over 7900 eligible primary schools in every state and territory for major new infrastructure. I am also delighted that this particular project has supported the employment of a number of workers. This is what we strived to achieve – this is the essence of the Economic Stimulus Plan.  Further information about this project and all schools funded under the BER is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au or at: www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au.

With this Federal Grant Nunawading Toy Library will purchase new outdoor furniture for the local young families who use the Library. The grant will also be used to train volunteers so they can provide the best information and support to young families.

A number of playgroups use the facilities and everyone will benefit from the new outdoor equipment.   I met with a number of parents and they are all very happy being able to use the outdoor area with the new tables.

In total $45,366 in volunteer grants will be delivered to local community organisations in Whitehorse this year. They will receive a grant of between $1000 and $5000 to purchase new equipment or contribute to their volunteers’ fuel costs.

For the first time, the grants will also help cover transport costs of volunteers with disability who are unable to drive and need to use public transport or taxis as part of their volunteering role.

Other groups to benefit include Lions Club of Vermont, JCI Whitehorse, the Lao Association, LinC Whitehorse and the Lions Club of Nunawading.

Grants have paid for a BBQ trailer for Lions Nunawading so they can raise funds at sausage sizzles. I congratulate all the local groups who have been successful in gaining a grant.

The Gillard Government is committed to supporting our army of volunteers and this year’s volunteer grants will help them to undertake their selfless work in supporting local communities.

The Gillard Government recognises and values the important work of volunteers, who play a crucial role in our communities and in recent months have made a vital contribution in disaster-affected areas.

Large numbers of volunteers continue to assist disaster-affected communities, helping people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. After cyclones and flooding across large parts of Australia. One in every four Australians are recognised and valued as community volunteers, working tirelessly to help others and create stronger communities.

This year, volunteers are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations International Year of Volunteers. To find out more about Volunteer Grants 2011, visit www.fahcsia.gov.au or call 1800 183 374.

Over 200 people turned up to hear from Australia’s Foreign Minsiter on how Australia is making its contribution to acheiveing the Millenium Development Goals and helping our neighbours and nations in need.

The Foreign Minister gave a presentation on Australia’s contribution to the Millenium Development Goals.

Australia is increasing its share of foreign aid, as part of our commitment to meet Millennium Development Goals increasing Australia’s foreign aid and it remains on track to meet our commitment to grow the aid budget to 0.5% of Gross National Income by 2015. 

Total aid was $4.3 billion in 2010-2011, in 2011–12, Australia will provide $4.8 billion worth of official development assistance. By 2015–16 the annual aid figure is estimated to reach around $8–9 billion.

 Locally groups like ‘unshackled’ raise the profile of human trafficking and the underlying issues of poverty; New Hope has raised funds for development in Aceh, Indonesia and will be sending a team of volunteers to assist in February.

The forum covered Australia’s foreign aid commitments, our role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the current crisis in the horn of Africa.  Kevin Rudd took over 45 minutes of questions after the presentation and I thnk that everyone there enjoyed the oppotunity to hear from Australia’s Foreign Minister.

 The situation in the Horn of Africa remains dire, with the UN estimating 750,000 people could die in the coming four months without a scale up of humanitarian aid, and that 13 million drought-stricken people require urgent help. 

Australians are renowned for their generosity, and the Government will match, dollar for dollar, money raised through Horn of Africa appeals from the 5^th of October until the end of November.

 Already the Australian Government is making a difference as the third-largest donor to the crisis, but now we will double every dollar raised by agencies already working in the Horn of Africa, making the public’s contributions go even further.

 I call on all Australians, from individuals to businesses, to donate whatever they can spare during November to help us save more lives. The organisations involved all have a proven track record and are already helping those affected by the famine.

 More information on the Horn of Africa Dollar For Dollar Appeal can be found at www.ausaid.gov.au

St Philip’s School received $125,000 under the National School Pride (NSP) program and $2 million under Primary Schools for the 21st Century program.

This is a great example of how our local schools have received significant upgrades with the Building the Education Revolution.  Over $2 million in funding has delivered a brand new multi-purpose centre and refurbished classrooms and an updated information technology centre.

Students at St. Philip’s will have access to the latest educational facilities with the refurbishment of three classrooms for their senior students.  All of our community will benefit from the upgrade to the school and the creation of a new 21^st century learning space for local students.

This project is part of the $79 million the Federal Government has invested in our local schools.  Our whole community has benefited from new spending at all our Primary Schools in Deakin. This money has been spent on new classrooms, libraries, multi-purpose centres, computer rooms and many other projects.

I am pleased that Minister Rudd was able to accept my invitation to  visit St Philip’s on this special day.  I know the students are very excited about using the new senior classrooms and the new multi-purpose hall will bring the school community together.

This project employed in excess of 50, mainly local people. These school projects across the electorate have helped hundreds of local people keep working.

 Further information about this project and all schools funded under the BER is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au or at: www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au.

 Dorset Primary School received $2,644,790 under the National School Pride (NSP) program and Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the BER.

$2.5 million was invested in building a new multi-purpose sport and performing arts complex and $150,000 to upgrade the sporting oval.

It has been fantastic to see the principal, school staff, parents and tradespeople working together to deliver these important projects. Now that they are completed, teachers and students in our local schools will be teaching and learning in 21st Century facilities that they so richly deserve.

The school has recently entered into exclusive partnerships with Camp Australia (management of onsite OSHC facility); Croydon Junior Football Club; and Maroondah ‘Magic’ Basketball Club to use the new centre out of school hours.

Completion of the BER projects will further enhance these relationships and benefit not only the students, but also members of these sporting clubs and the community as a whole.

This new building is the first new building constructed within the school since it was opened in 1978.

 The $1.28 billion National School Pride (NSP) program is providing funding to more than 9400 eligible schools in every state and territory for minor infrastructure and refurbishment.

 The $14.1 billion Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element is providing funding to over 7900 eligible primary schools in every state and territory for major new infrastructure.

 The new facilities are not only a benefit to the school they are supporting stronger social networks and community cohesion.

 It is tremendous to be here today to celebrate the opening of the new facilities and to witness first hand, the impact this has had on Dorset Primary School and the local community.

 I am also delighted that this particular project has supported the employment of 21 workers. This is what we strived to achieve – this is the essence of the Economic Stimulus Plan.

 Further information about this project and all schools funded under the BER is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au or at: www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au.

More young people with mental illness, or at risk of mental illness,  will be able to get the care and support that they need from a new headspace sites in the Ringwood/Knox area.

 The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing and myself joined students at Ringwood Secondary College to welcome the announcement of a new headspace centre for the outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

 This new centre is part of the Gillard Labor Government’s record investment in the 2011-12 Budget, $197 million is being investing to more than double the number of headspace sites to 90. This brings the Government’s total investment in headspace services to $359 million.

 Mental health is the single biggest health issue facing young Australians. Every day thousands of young Australians face mental health challenges that can impact their lives for months, years and lifetimes. 

Without getting the help they need, many young people can become isolated from family and friends when support is most needed.

I am very happy to be part of the announcement of a new headspace centre in the Ringwood/Knox area.  I believe we have the resources to host a Headspace right here in Ringwood. 

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. We help young people who are going through a tough time.

Looking for someone to talk to? If you’re 12-25, you can get health advice, support and information from headspace. With centres all around Australia, headspace can help with:

• General health
• Mental health and counselling
• Education, employment and other services
• Alcohol and other drug services.

Having a headspace in Ringwood will improve access for young people aged between 12 and 25 to mental health care, drug and alcohol services and vocational support.

 Once fully established, the site will help on average between 1,000-3,000 young per year. 

headspace will put out a tender for groups to establish a headspace centre, I believe we have a need locally for a headspace and a Ringwood location would be the best for access to transport and allied health services.

Today’s announcement also builds on a new 24 hour e-headspace service which from today will provide free, confidential and anonymous counselling services over the phone or online, to young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years with, or at risk of developing, a mild to moderate mental illness. I encourage anyone to visit www.eheadspace.org.au if they have any worries about mental health.