Latest News

$150,000 grant to expand East Ringwood Clinic

On Firday the 18th of November I visited East Ringwood Clinic to announce a $150,000 grant to help the clinic expand GP services locally. 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.

Work commences on the $616,000 Croydon Skate Park and Youth Space

On November 15th I visited the Croydon Youth Space to turn the first sod in the project to deliver a new skate park and youth space for the youth of Croydon. 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.

Award for the Active After-school Communities program at Kalinda Primary

On Monday 14 November I presented Kalinda Primary School with a certificate of excellence for delivering fun, safe and inclusive sports activities to children. 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 [...]

New BER building opened at Heathmont East Primary School

On the 13th of November I attended the official opening of the library and classrooms at Heathmont East Primary School, built as part of the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER). The new grades 5 and 6 learning environment adopts the latest in building design for negotiated curriculum and inquiry based learning. The furniture in the centre [...]

Federal Volunteer grant for Nunawading Toy Library

On the 10th of November I visited Nunawading Toy Library to announce the awarding of a $3,100 grant for new equipment and volunteer training. 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 [...]

Forum on foreign aid with Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd

Following the opening of St Philip’s new building, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd and my office held a community forum at New Hope Community Church in Blackburn North to discuss the Australian Government’s aid initiatives. Over 200 people turned up to hear from Australia’s Foreign Minsiter on how Australia is making its contribution to acheiveing the Millenium Development [...]

Kevin Rudd opens St Philip’s Primary School Building the Education Revolution project

On the 9th of November the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd and myself officially opened the upgraded facilities, refurbished classrooms and new multipurpose hall at St Philip’s School in Blackburn North, built as part of the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution. St Philip’s School received $125,000 under the National School Pride (NSP) program and [...]

Opening of Dorset Primary School Building the Education Revolution project

On the 7th of November I visited Dorset Primary School to open their brand new sporting and performing arts complex, building refurbishments and new administration area at Dorset Primary School built as part of the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER). Dorset Primary School received $2,644,790 under the National School Pride (NSP) program and Primary Schools [...]

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 [...]