Page 2923 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 20 September 2006
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You are destroying our heritage in those two rural schools. I throw Giralang in, too, simply because of its unique architectural design and the uniqueness of the suburb. Where is the thought there? The sad answer to that is that there is no thought; there is not any real thought. This has been something that has been knocked up very, very quickly. There was no indication on 13 April that this was likely to happen. On 6 June, D-day, just as surprisingly as the Allies landing at Omaha Beach probably was to the Germans—even though the parents here might have been expecting it, probably the Germans were expecting it a bit more than the ACT community—you suddenly announced the closure of 39 schools. Then you consult after the event.
Let me read from statements by three concerned parents on this issue. They are all from Giralang. These are concerned parents. It is interesting to see what they say and what the community says. The first one states:
The 2020 proposal is a farce. The cabinet has made the decision to axe services to cover up whatever the secret reason for the budget blowout is. 2020 is a bunch of BS—
that is what is written—
made up on the fly to attempt to put a positive spin on bulldozing schools to build flats. Perhaps 2020 is the next time the ALP will get back into government?
Another one states:
We have been in this suburb since 1975 and have been through many changes. We fought to get our shop, our children attended the local school and our grandchildren were to return as out of area enrolments in 2008. My children planted trees on the ovals and thrived in this close knit suburb. Now we see everything being taken from us. Our wonderful suburb is being degraded and we will soon be left with nothing. Soon the garage will go too simply through the lack of passing trade. What did we all do that was so wrong to deserve this?
This statement—and this has been sent to Minister Barr by one of the parents—continues:
1) Why can’t the PEA for the suburbs of Crace, Lawson and McKellar be the Giralang schools?
Why not? How logical! Too logical for this lot! The statement continues:
2) Why was Giralang chosen over Maribyrnong Primary?
- A school with similar enrolment numbers
- A school that allegedly costs more per student to educate
- A school in need of repair (our school in fantastic condition)
- A school in a suburb that has 2 other schools.
3) Why Giralang schools, when both our neighbouring suburbs (Evatt and Kaleen) have three schools?
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