Mary-Anne Thomas

Keen cricketers and skaters in the Hepburn Shire region are celebrating today thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today officially opened a redeveloped skatepark in Daylesford and also cricket upgrades in Clunes made possible with a $294,000 investment from the Labor Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund. The Daylesford project saw the existing skatepark transformed with a new bowl, jumps, seating, basketball ring and a new skater street section. It will provide a superior skate facility for young people in the region and provide a base for community activities by groups such as the YMCA. Established during the gold rush, Clunes Cricket Club is one of the oldest in country Victoria, but its turf wicket has definitely seen better days. The Labor Government has listened and delivered, and the club is now celebrating a new turf wicket, improved irrigation and drainage, and an irrigation tank, which will significantly improve the playing surface and safety throughout the season. It’s part of the Government’s strong commitment to sport and active recreation, gender equality and encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active. The Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and recreation facilities across Victoria since 2014. The Government also acknowledged project partner Hepburn Shire Council for its commitment and significant contribution to delivering the projects. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “These new facilities in Daylesford and Clunes are a fantastic resource for the local cricket and skating community, opening up new opportunities for active recreation, training and competition.” “People in the Hepburn Shire region deserve modern and safe facilities they can be proud of and thanks to our investment in partnership with the Council, we’re getting on with delivering just that.”

The Romsey Ecotherapy Park will soon feature an all-new climbing forest for people of all ages, thanks to a $200,000 investment from the Andrews Labor Government’s Pick My Project initiative. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the site to announce lyPa Pty Ltd and Red’s Landscaping & Design as the selected contractors and to mark the start of works on behalf of the Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes. The Romsey Ecotherapy Park is a unique and all-inclusive nature space suited for all ages and abilities and the climbing forest will be the latest addition to this integral part of Romsey. The climbing forest will feature a range of fun and challenging attractions for children including, lookouts, a rope bridge, climbing nets and hammocks. The climbing forest will provide an innovative health and wellbeing space for the community, helping engage and connect residents across the town, while bringing visitors closer to nature. It will be the largest climbing forest in the Macedon Ranges region and is expected to be completed and ready for use by the end of the year. Pick My Project is an Andrews Labor Government first – a $30 million participatory budgeting initiative that puts decision making in the hands of Victorians. The Romsey Ecotherapy Park Climbing Forest project is one of 16 successful projects from the Pick My Project initiative in the Loddon Campaspe region. The region received more than $2.17 million in funding through the initiative, after a total of 20,507 votes were cast. Other projects in the Loddon Campaspe region include, a playground upgrade for the Woodend Kindergarten, a new grass community sports field in Castlemaine and greater disability access for regional swimming pools across the Mount Alexander Shire. Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “The Romsey Ecotherapy Park Climbing Forest is another wonderful example of the government’s Pick My Project initiative creating a positive impact on towns across regional Victoria.” “I’m excited to see the difference this new climbing forest will make for the people of Romsey, young and old alike.”

Students learning and playing outdoors at Riddells Creek Primary School are set to receive much- needed protection from harmful UV radiation thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today announced Riddells Creek Primary School will receive $25,000 to construct permanent shade at the school. This follows a passionate campaign by members of the school community to see upgrades to sun protection. A further two Macedon Ranges schools, Kyneton Primary School and Elphinstone Primary School, received funding for sun protective items. Around the state, 77 schools are sharing in almost $1 million from the latest round of the Andrews Labor Government’s School Shade Grants program. The program provides grants for shade development, including building new shade, repairing existing shade or creating natural shade by planting trees. In addition, some small grants have been funded to provide sun protective items like hats and sunscreen for students. Shade used in combination with other sun protection measures provide the best protection from harmful UV radiation exposure when spending time outdoors. Childhood and adolescence are critical periods during which exposure to UV radiation is more likely to contribute to skin cancer later in life. In 2017, melanoma was the fourth-most common cancer in Victoria, with 2,993 invasive melanomas diagnosed, and tragically, 270 deaths. Proper shade can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent when in conjunction with other sun protection measures such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and protective clothing. The Labor Government has provided a big $10 million boost for the program, paving the way for more schools and community groups to install shade over the next four years. The Government also funds the Community Shade Grants program, which provides shade for community organisations. These programs have already awarded 1,161 grants, totalling $11.8 million. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “Riddells Creek Primary students love spending time outdoors, which is why we’ve listened to the school community and taken action, so that kids can benefit from more shade and protection from the sun.” “Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer in Australia. It’s important we give our youngest Victorians the protection they need to stay sun smart.” Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos “Our grants programs have helped hundreds of schools and community groups provide the protection Victorians need to prevent cancer. Now, even more children will be shielded from the sun’s harmful rays.” Quote attributable to Natasha McLean, Riddells Creek Primary School parent “We’re so thrilled to receive this grant, it will mean out children can play and learn safely in the outdoors in hot weather.”

Two young farmers from Macedon have received the Andrews Labor Government’s scholarships of up to $10,000 as part of the $125,000 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarships program. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated the local winners of the fifth round of scholarships who were announced at an awards ceremony held at Parliament House yesterday evening. Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarships are worth up to $10,000 per farmer – with $5000 to upskill through training and study in areas like farm management, financial literacy, product development or innovative farming techniques, making sure the next generation of farming leaders are developing world-class skills. Once they complete their studies, recipients are eligible for an additional funding boost of up to $5,000 to invest on-farm or in professional development – putting their new skills into practice and boosting their businesses. Sophia Christoe, a goat dairy farmer from Trentham, will undertake one-on-one training with an international industry expert to improve her knowledge of small-scale dairy and cheesemaking with an emphasis on animal welfare and high-end products.  Sophia will also complete a Diploma of Creative Enterprise to expand her skills in leadership and management Jackson Keane, a sheep and garlic farmer from Pipers Creek, focuses on growing chemical-free garlic as well as producing prime lamb. Jackson will study the ‘Lifetime Ewe Management Course’ to improve his understanding of ewe nutrition and its impact on the performance of the ewe and her progeny. Jackson will also invest in a box seeder to assist with a pasture regeneration program and soil preparation for the garlic crop. To date, the scholarship program has seen 63 young recipients move from strength to strength in their careers – and is an important part of the Labor Government’s commitment to grow the state’s agriculture sector to $20 billion by 2030. Applications for the 2020 Young Farmers Scholarships will open in mid-2020, with farmers aged 35 or under encouraged to apply. To find out more about the scholarships program, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/youngfarmers. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “Macedon’s young farmers are dynamic and resilient. The future success and growth of Victoria’s thriving agriculture industry is in great hands.” “The Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship program is attracting and supporting the next generation of Macedon’s farmers by making sure they’re supported to keep learning and growing.”

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        

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