Mary-Anne Thomas

Students in regional Victoria are learning about the Metro Tunnel Project’s archaeological discoveries and Melbourne landmarks by digging in to the world of Minecraft thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today met students at Woodend Primary School to introduce them to the Mini Melbourne virtual city. The educational resource features Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne Town Hall and Federation Square – helping students to visualise how the Metro Tunnel project interacts with the city before their upcoming visit to Metro Tunnel HQ in the heart of the CBD. Mini Melbourne has been a huge success since the initial public release in May with more than 14,000 people have downloaded the public version of Mini Melbourne. Schools are also reaping the benefits of Minecraft: Education Edition as the total number of active users in schools topped 25,000. Among the activities on this tool is Archaeology Adventure, where students join a virtual dig at the Metro Tunnel sites in Swanston Street to learn about artefacts that have been uncovered. Minecraft is an open-world video game that allows players to roam in virtual spaces and create their own buildings and cities. Mini Melbourne is a Minecraft world-first – the first ‘virtual city’ built as an educational resource for students around the world to learn more about our great city. Mini Melbourne was created for Minecraft: Education Edition, an open learning platform that supports curriculum-based learning in Victorian schools while encouraging students to work independently and in teams. Minecraft is a global phenomenon with more than 176 million copies sold worldwide, and the software is used for education purposes in more than 100 countries. Some of Melbourne’s busiest metropolitan train lines – Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham – will run through the Labor Government’s Metro Tunnel, which is due to open in 2025. This will create capacity for over half a million additional passengers a week across Melbourne’s train network during the peak periods. The Metro Tunnel’s benefits will extend to regional passengers with people on the Bendigo Line saving up to 20 minutes a day on their journeys. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “Mini Melbourne is a terrific educational tool that allows students outside of Melbourne to explore the city and the Metro Tunnel project.” “By encouraging Woodend students to uncover archeological discoveries and use their imagination, young Victorians will gain a new appreciation for how the Metro Tunnel interacts with the city’s history.”

Bus patronage has increased by 45 per cent in Kyneton since the Andrews Labor Government introduced the new bus network in April. Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne was in Kyneton today to mark the success of the new bus network which has delivered more bus services, across more days, and with better connections to trains and local destinations. locals have embraced the new bus network. Locals have embraced the new bus network with patronage increasing an average of 45 per cent since the changes, hitting as high as 65 per cent last month as more locals get on board. In April, the Labor Government expanded Kyneton’s bus services from three to six days and extended hours of operation. The changes saw one hundred extra services added and the launch of a new bus service to Trentham. The new Trentham-Kyneton bus service means Trentham residents now have public transport access to key Kyneton destinations for the first time – including the train station, town centre, local schools, health services and showgrounds. Kyneton residents are also benefitting from recent improvements to bus services in the wider Macedon region. In July, the Government introduced an additional 60 bus services and a simplified timetable to better connect Lancefield and Romsey residents with trains at Sunbury while maintaining connections at Clarkefield Station in peak times. Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne “Kyneton locals have gotten behind their new and improved bus network with this significant increase in bus patronage.” “Whether you’re headed down to the local shops or connecting with trains on the regional network – we’re making sure that locals can get where they need to go.” Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “The new Kyneton bus network is connecting locals to the station, town centre, schools, showgrounds and health services.” “We’re making the local bus network more convenient for locals by expanding operating hours and improving connections to trains, local shops and schools

Students at Tylden Primary School will soon be learning in improved classrooms thanks to a $255,000 funding announcement from the Victorian Government Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the investment will go towards upgrading two relocatable buildings at the school to ensure students have greater access to modernised facilities. The refurbishment will help to restore the condition of the buildings, enhance the teaching space and improve the learning environment of the school. The Labor Government is providing $180,000 in funding towards a full refurbishment of one of the school’s relocatable buildings that houses two classrooms. Renovations to the building include the removal of asbestos, replacing the exterior cladding, guttering, fascia and roof, replacing carpet, installing a new acoustic ceiling and accordion door to improve sound quality, installing new air conditioners, repainting the walls and installing new whiteboards. The Labor Government is also providing $75,000 to refurbish another relocatable building at the school which will include replacing carpet, installing new air conditioners and painting and repairing the walls and ceilings. Works to modernise the buildings are expected to start in Term 4, and will take about eight weeks to complete. This project is one of 30 local school maintenance upgrades worth $2.58 million in the Macedon electorate. The Government has invested $5.6 billion to deliver more than 1,400 school upgrades, supporting over 7,500 construction jobs for Victorians. The Government is building the Education State so that every student can access a great local school and get a great education. Under the Government’s school building boom, a total of 100 new schools will open by 2026, ensuring every child can access a great local school and get a great start in life. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “This upgrade is about more than giving Tylden Primary students the school facilities they deserve – it is about helping build community pride in a great local school.”  “Across Victoria, we are building and upgrading schools so our students have the best facilities, our classrooms have the best teachers

Work is underway on major repair and rehabilitation works on Clarkefield’s Station Street, which will improve access to passenger rail services and recreation facilities for the community. The Andrews Labor Government have invested $293,333 from round two of the Fixing Country Roads Program into the project, along with a $146,000 contribution from Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The full 540-metre length of Station Street is being reconstructed, widened and sealed, making it easier and safer for locals to access passenger rail and coach connections at Clarkefield Railway Station, as well as making it easier to travel to Clarkefield Recreation Reserve. The project will also make life easier for the area’s volunteer firefighters heading to and from the Clarkefield CFA Station on Station Street. Works are expected to be completed by mid-October and traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works, reducing Station Street to one lane during the day. Traffic management will prioritise peak time commuter access to the station where possible, however it is recommended travellers allow additional time to reach the station. The Labor Government’s $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program enables regional and rural Victorian councils to carry out important road rehabilitation and resealing works, road safety improvements, bridge strengthening and other upgrades. To keep track of this project or check out what other works are underway or planned in your area visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “This road upgrade will deliver a better connection to Clarkefield Railway Station.” “The Fixing Country Roads program is ensuring that regional Victorian roads are fit for purpose – regardless of who they’re managed by.”      

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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