Mary-Anne Thomas

The Andrews Labor government is delivering on its promise to upgrade the clubhouse at Hepburn Springs Golf Club. Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, announced today that $157,000 will be put towards the upgrades, which includes providing toilet facilities for people of all abilities. The Hepburn Springs Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course that hosts 2,067 annual competition rounds. This funding ensures that golfers across the Hepburn Springs and Daylesford region will have access to the facilities they deserve. The investment will not only benefit regular visitors of the golf club, but also will enable the club to continue to attract visitors from outside the region. Golf in Victoria contributes $883 million to the state’s economy and supports 6,900 jobs. More than 300,000 Victorians play golf at more than 350 courses across the state. The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring that the sport of golf can be enjoyed right across regional Victoria, and that golfers are playing on the best courses with the very best facilities. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas “This funding is a fantastic boost for golfers in the Hepburn Springs and Daylesford region.” “We’re growing golf across Victoria by attracting more young people to the game, particularly in regional Victoria and investing in better facilities.”

Festivals and events in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges will receive a welcome boost thanks to the Andrews Labor Government and will help create jobs, attract visitors and support businesses in the area. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said that the $200,000 will support festivals and events in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, and will help showcase an area of the state full of natural wonders, great food and wine options and spectacular scenery. The funding will be managed by the Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires, who will work in consultation with the Daylesford Macedon Ranges Tourism board. In 2018 more than 2.7 million visitors enjoyed the sights and sounds of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, up 3.1 per cent on the previous year, with over $473 million in tourism expenditure for the region’s economy, up 15.6 per cent. The boost to the region’s festivals and events aligns with the roll-out of the Regional Tourism Review which will look for further opportunities to grow visitation and boost local businesses across regional Victoria. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas “This funding will help attract visitors, deliver more events and support local businesses in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.” “Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges are an amazing part of Victoria full of natural sights and cultural attractions. The range of festivals and events in the area will only continue to grow, benefiting the entire community.” "Tourism remains one of regional Victoria’s most important industries, creating jobs and helping our economy thrive.”

Students from Daylesford and surrounding areas now have bigger, better classrooms and school facilities to learn in, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Education James Merlino and the Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas visited Daylesford Secondary College to open its $10 million upgrade. The upgrade includes a new science and technology building catering for science, food technology and textiles, a new library space, music practice room, new staff and student toilets, landscaping works and a reconfigured car park. This upgrade is part of the Labor Government’s massive investment of $5.6 billion to deliver more than 1,400 school upgrades, supporting over 5,000 construction jobs for Victorians. 100 new schools will open over the next eight years under the Labor Government’s school building boom, ensuring every child has a great local school and a great start in life. The Victorian Government is building the Education State so that every student can access a great local school and get a great education. Quotes attributable to the Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “This upgrade completes the transformation of this wonderful school and gives students and teachers great new spaces to enhance their learning and teaching.” Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino “Right across Victoria, we are building and upgrading schools so our students and teachers have the best facilities and every child is given every chance to succeed.” “I share the passion and excitement of everyone who has helped to turn Daylesford Secondary College’s vision into a reality, as well as that of local families who will benefit from these great new school facilities.”  

More Victorians will be trained in preventing family violence with new funding to teach people how to call out sexism and create gender equality policies in schools, health services, councils and workplaces. Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams has announced $1.2 million to support 12 women’s health services across the state. The funding to the 12 services will help promote gender equity, deliver bystander training to call out sexism, develop toolkits and support creation of gender equality policies in health services, councils, schools and community groups. It will support nine regional and three statewide women’s health services – Women’s Health Victoria, Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health and Women with Disabilities Victoria. Family violence is a national emergency, with one woman killed at the hands of a current or former partner every week. It is the leading cause of death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44 years. The Andrews Labor Government established an Australian-first Royal Commission into Family Violence in 2014 and has since invested more than $2.7 billion to implement all 227 recommendations made.

In 2018, I made a public commitment that I would start a Youth Advisory Council if I were elected for another term. I'm thrilled that the Macedon community has entrusted me with another four years as their representative so that I can make good on my promise to young people in my electorate! The aims of the Youth Advisory Council are to provide a platform for the perspectives and priorities of young people across Macedon, to empower young people to take action, show leadership and learn about government and its processes. I want to hear from young people across the Macedon electorate about what matters to them.  Mary-Anne Thomas MP   Who is it for? The Youth Advisory Council is for 12 passionate and community-minded young people from across the Macedon electorate. Applicants should be between the ages of 16 – 26 inclusive and be committed to attending all sessions. What is the commitment? The Youth Advisory Council will meet five times over a year at various locations including at the Victorian Parliament. Why apply for the Youth Advisory Council? The Youth Advisory Council will bring together young people who are interested in taking a leadership role within our community. This unique program will provide participants with the opportunity to build their understanding of government, the role and responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, and to understand pathways into politics. How can I apply for the Youth Advisory Council? There are 4 simple questions to answer in the application for the Youth Advisory Council. Applicants can answer them in writing  or via a video. What do you love about living in the Macedon electorate? What issues are most important to you, and why? Why do you want to be a part of the Youth Advisory Council? In your opinion, what do you think is something that could be improved for our community? Applications are now closed.   For more information or any other questions, email korey.fernando@parliament.vic.gov.au        

Join me in calling for action at the Barry Street and Main Street intersection.

Learn about my position on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill