Latest News

headspace for the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne

On the 24th of October, the Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler officially announced a new headspace to be established in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. 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 [...]

Dorset Primary receives $60,000 federal grant for a Stephanie Alexander Garden

On the 20th of October I visited Dorset Primary School to announce the awarding of a $60,000 grant for a new Stephanie Alexander Garden. Students at Dorset Primary are set to join 128 other schools around Australia that are already growing tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn and other veggies while learning about food and healthy [...]

$68,000 in local grants to expand the teaching of Chinese and Korean

On the 14th of October I visited Livingstone Primary School in Vermont to announce $68,000 of grants to three local schools who are set to benefit from a Federal program to increase the number of young Australians skilled in the languages and cultures of China and Korea under the Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to Schools program.

International Year of the Volunteer plus ten awards

I am very happy to announce a national awards campaign to recognise local volunteers. We are so lucky in our area to have so many active volunteers, they make an incredible contribution to our community and these awards are there to help recognise their work.

Opening of the new multi-purpose centre at Weeden Heights Primary School

On the 26th of September I opened the new Weeden Heights Priamry School’s Building the Education Revolution building. The school recieved $1.9 million to costruct this new building on the campus.

$200,000 for CCTV cameras in Ringwood delivered

Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor and myself announced the delivery of $200,000 in funding to install closed circuit television (CCTV) at Ringwood train station and surrounding areas. The Council will install a ‘real-time’ CCTV system directly linked to Ringwood Police Station with the Federal funding.

Visit to Norwood Secondary College to meet local Navy Cadets

On the 6th of September myself and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, visited a Navy Cadet unit at Norwood Secondary College today. At Norwood College, Navy Cadets learn a range of skills and undertake challenging and exciting activities, such as sailing, outdoor camps and navigation.

Petition to stop the importation of primates to be presented to Parliament

On the 16th of September I received a petition signed by 11,000 people calling for the end to the importation of primates into Australia for the purpose of medical research. The petition was handed to me by Helen Marsten from Humane Research Australia (HRA). I will present the petition to the Federal Parliament of Australia on their behalf.

$1.6 million to renovate Nunawading Library delivered

On Thursday the 8th of September I offically opened the newly renovated Nunawading Library with the Mayor of Whitehorse, Ben Stennett and David Morris the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.