Mary-Anne Thomas

Trentham Primary School will share in $515 million, the single largest boost to school maintenance ever undertaken, thanks to an unprecedented investment by the Andrews Labor Government.   Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Trentham Primary School, which received $146,442 for maintenance and bushfire preparedness.   The investment will enable the school to do essential works such as painting, replacing carpet and windows, landscaping, tree inspections and maintenance of infrastructure like septic systems and water services.   As fire season approaches, the funding will also ensure the school can be ‘bushfire ready’, with $17,487 for fire preparedness activities like vegetation removal. This is part of a $44.2 million funding boost over five years to schools in some of the state’s highest-risk bushfire areas.   This increased maintenance investment will enable principals to get on with the job of leading Victoria’s schools, by providing more funds to maintain the state’s 36,000 school buildings, while supporting schools to cater to the 115,000 additional students who are expected to enter the education system over the next five years.   The package complements the Labor Government’s recent initiatives to support schools to manage and maintain their facilities, including the Rolling Facilities Evaluation and the rollout of maintenance plans for each school.   The Labor Government is investing $170.5 million in emergency and incident response over five years, including an extra $57.8 million to address issues such as septic system failure, termite damage, mould, roof and floor damage, and $76.4 million to respond to unforeseen incidents and events such as storms, fire or flooding.   Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas   “Trentham Primary School is a great local school, and this funding boost means that Trentham students can learn in first-rate facilities that the school community can feel proud of.”   “This investment ensures that Trentham Primary staff can get on with the job and students can have a safe and modern learning environment.”

More Victorians will be enjoying upgraded sport facilities thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in country football and netball clubs.   Hepburn Recreation Reserve, home to Hepburn Football Netball Club, is one of 17 projects that is receiving funding in the latest round of Country Football and Netball Program grants.   Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today confirmed that the $100,000 grant will deliver a unisex football change facility, including additional unisex umpire facilities and a duty room suitable for female officials at Hepburn Recreation Reserve.   The Labor Government launched the Country Football and Netball Program in 2005, and since then the Program has supported more than 500 projects valued at over $100 million.   The program is a partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria and recognises that everybody deserves access to quality facilities, no matter where they live.   The program backs clubs that often serve as the heartbeat of their country and outer-metropolitan communities, allowing them to replace and upgrades facilities so they can grow their sport and best meet the needs of local people.   Grants from the latest round support upgrades including ground resurfacing, irrigation, lighting and new netball courts and pavilions.   Support for local clubs is part of the Government’s commitment to community sport and active recreation, gender equality, and encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active.   Across Victoria, the Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and recreation facilities since 2014.   Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas also acknowledged Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Football Netball Club and Sport and Recreation Victoria for their contribution to $574,000 project.   This investment follows an upgrade earlier this year to Hepburn Recreation Reserve’s netball facilities through the Andrews Labor Government’s Female Friendly Facilities fund. This upgrade saw construction of new female friendly change rooms, umpire amenities, accessible toilets, baby change facilities, storage and first aid areas.   Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas  “Footy and netball clubs are the heart and soul of country towns like Hepburn, and we’re proud to help out with funding for this important project.”   “We’re seeing a growing number of girls and women wanting to play football, and now the Andrews Labor Government is ensuring clubs like the Hepburn Burras have the facilities to match this growing demand.”

Creswick Nursing Home residents are set to benefit from a major upgrade thanks to $3.2 million in grants from the Victorian Government. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Creswick Nursing Home to turn the first sod of upgrade works funded through two Victorian Government Regional Health Infrastructure Fund grants totalling $3.2 million. Hepburn Health Service will build a new 12-bed unit based on best-practice dementia-friendly design and layout with the funding, combined with the existing 18 beds, would make up the 30-bed aged care facility at Creswick. The new unit will feature private rooms with ensuites built around a central courtyard with better access to support spaces, creating a homelike environment to suit the specialist needs of people living with dementia. The funding will enable Hepburn Health Service to consolidate activity spaces and common areas at its existing facility and upgrade the heating and cooling systems. The health service has plans to rebuild its remaining double rooms into private rooms to improve the amenities and quality of life for residents in the future. The project will support the creation of three new jobs and is expected to be completed in 2020. The Victorian Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund provides funding to improve health services and agencies in rural and regional Victoria. Victoria has the largest public residential aged care sector in the country. These services play a vital role providing care in many regional and rural communities where there are no other services, and for Victoria’s most vulnerable older people with complex physical or mental health needs. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “The Andrews Labor Government is committed to improving public aged care across Victoria and I’m pleased to support these fantastic upgrades for Creswick Nursing Home.” “Victorians in aged care deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and this $3.2milion upgrade will deliver the privacy and the state of the art facilities they need.”​

Gisborne is now accessible for all with the opening of Victoria’s latest Changing Places facility at Gisborne Adventure Playground. Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today officially unveiled the new state-of-the-art Changing Places toilet facility. Changing Places are larger than standard accessible toilets, and have extra features such as a tracking hoist, adult sized change table and more space to meet the needs of all people with a disability. The Victorian Government is providing $2.6 million to fund a network of 26 Changing Places across the state. Macedon Ranges Shire Council was successful in receiving funding of $100,000 to build the Gisborne facility. Victoria was the first Australian state to launch Changing Places and continues to lead the way nationally in making public spaces more accessible. On 1 May 2019, the National Construction Code was updated to include new ‘accessible adult change facilities’ based on the Changing Places design. These facilities are now required in specified public buildings such as large shopping centres, sports stadiums, theatres, aquatic centres, museums, art galleries and airports. Changing Places is a key priority of the Absolutely Everyone State Disability Plan for 2017–2020, which commits the Victorian Government to a range of actions in partnership with the community to achieve greater inclusion. To find out more about Changing Places and to find a facility near you please visit: https://changingplaces.org.au Quotes attributable to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan “Gisborne Adventure Playground is a meeting place for the community and this fantastic new facility makes it accessible for every Victorian.” “The Victorian Government is absolutely committed to inclusion for all Victorians, and Changing Places is a key part of making this happen.” Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “Changing Places plays an essential role in opening our recreation spaces to all people, including those with a disability.” “I’m proud that we are reducing barriers to participation, not only in Gisborne, but across the stat

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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