When the Andrews Labor Government was elected, we promised to put people first. As our state begins its recovery from the global pandemic, people will continue to be our priority.
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 delivers on the investments that will see our community recover – and come back even stronger.
As kids get back into the classroom, this Budget delivers the single biggest investment ever in our schools – making sure students have the classrooms, libraries and learning spaces they deserve.
This includes $10.99 million for Kyneton High School, with students to benefit from an upgrade, including a modernisation to Block J. The Government's investment will also support local jobs, with our school infrastructure build expected to create more than 6,400 jobs across the state.
To further cement our state's status as Australia’s cultural capital, this Budget is investing in the creativity of our local community. That includes $12 million to build a new exhibition space at the Old Kyneton Primary School and upgrade existing facilities, making it a new home for art exhibitions and a space for the whole community to enjoy.
The Labor Government is also investing $465 million through the Victorian Tourism Recovery Package' to attract more visitors to regional Victoria – supporting local jobs and making sure more Victorian families can experience the best our state has to offer. That includes $13.2 million for regional tourism boards to coordinate regional tourism efforts in our local area. This investment will help bring more tourists, and their tourism dollars, to grow our economy, create jobs and benefit our community.
This Budget will also invest in works to protect the Lerderderg River from invasive plants and pests -– making sure these rivers remains healthy and available for our community.
We’re also delivering the biggest investment in public and community housing in Australia, ever. This investment will build more than 12,000 new homes – making sure thousands of Victorians have a place to call home, and thousands more Victorians have a job. Macedon Ranges Shire is a priority area for investment, with procurement starting straight away to build new homes.
And to help get more Victorians back into work, the Labor Government is setting itself an ambitious target – creating 400,000 new jobs by 2025, half of them by 2022.
Our new Jobs for Victoria initiative will help locals find a new job – and with it, security, stability and certainty. This includes $250 million to partner with employers to cover the wages of at least 10,000 new workers. These positions will be for Victorians hardest hit by this pandemic, including women, young people, retrenched workers and people who have been long-term unemployed.
This investment will also deliver targeted and tailored support for those who need it – such as mentoring, career counselling or more intensive support.
And because we know too many Victorians are having to choose between going to work sick and losing wages, the Labor Government will invest $5 million to develop a new Secure Work Pilot Scheme. Once in place, the two-year pilot will provide up to five days of sick and carer’s pay at the national minimum wage for casual or insecure workers in priority industries.
We're preparing regional Victoria for a strong recovery by investing in major projects across our cities, towns and communities. Extra funding will be provided to the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund as part of this year's Budget – boosting our regional industries, such as food and fibre and manufacturing, and supporting local jobs.
This year’s Budget will help nearly one million families save hundreds on their power bill. Concession card holders, such as Victorians receiving JobSeeker payments, will be eligible for a one-off $250 payment to help cover the cost of their energy bills.
An extra 250,000 low-income households will benefit from new more efficient heating and cooling, while heating, cooling or hot water systems will be upgraded across an extra 35,000 social housing homes – reducing bills for tenants and making winter and summer more comfortable.
The Labor Government’s Solar Homes will also be expanded to an extra 42,000 rooftop solar rebates plus 14,500 solar batteries, cutting power bills for local families. And for the very first time, small businesses will also be eligible.
The Labor Government will also invest in clean energy projects across our state – including new Renewable Energy Zones to generate, store and transmit energy – while also creating thousands of regional jobs.
Even with kids back at school, the balancing act that many families know all too well isn’t easy. That’s why this Budget will make kinder free in 2021 and deliver outside school hours care at up to 400 extra schools, saving parents money and giving them greater flexibility when it comes to work and care.
2020 has also reminded us of what matters most in life – the health and wellbeing of the people we love. As we begin our state’s recovery, that will continue to be our focus.
This Budget will ensure Victorians have the mental health support they need as we get on with fixing a broken system. That includes nearly $870 million for mental health, including to implement the Royal Commission into Mental Health’s interim report findings and recommendations and deliver care for local families.
We’re also investing more than $1 billion for children and families at risk, including targeted support to help families stay together. A further $235 million will build our Recovery Workforce, creating 500 new jobs across mental health, family violence, health and child protection with hundreds more new training opportunities, so Victorians have the support they need as we recover from this pandemic.
We also want to make sure we continue to give patients flexibility in their care, allowing them to choose what is best for them and their families. This Budget will invest $121 million for ‘Better at Home’, increasing the delivery of hospital services in patients’ homes – ensuring these Victorians can recuperate in the comfort of their own home. We’ll also strengthen and expand virtual care technology, making it easier for busy families and patients in regional and rural communities to access support.
This is a Budget to repair, recover and make us stronger than before. This is a Budget, and a Government, that puts people first.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"2020 has reminded us of what matters most. It's why this Budget invests in the safety and security of our family, friends and neighbours."
"This much-needed upgrade to Kyneton High School will ensure our kids have a great local school and create new local jobs."
When the Andrews Labor Government was elected, we promised to put people first. As our state begins its recovery from the global pandemic, people will continue to be our priority.
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 delivers on the investments that will see our community recover – and come back even stronger.
As kids get back into the classroom, this Budget delivers the single biggest investment ever in our schools – making sure students have the classrooms, libraries and learning spaces they deserve.
This includes $10.99 million for Kyneton High School, with students to benefit from an upgrade, including a modernisation to Block J. The Government's investment will also support local jobs, with our school infrastructure build expected to create more than 6,400 jobs across the state.
To further cement our state's status as Australia’s cultural capital, this Budget is investing in the creativity of our local community. That includes $12 million to build a new exhibition space at the Old Kyneton Primary School and upgrade existing facilities, making it a new home for art exhibitions and a space for the whole community to enjoy.
The Labor Government is also investing $465 million through the Victorian Tourism Recovery Package' to attract more visitors to regional Victoria – supporting local jobs and making sure more Victorian families can experience the best our state has to offer. That includes $13.2 million for regional tourism boards to coordinate regional tourism efforts in our local area. This investment will help bring more tourists, and their tourism dollars, to grow our economy, create jobs and benefit our community.
This Budget will also invest in works to protect the Lerderderg River from invasive plants and pests -– making sure these rivers remains healthy and available for our community.
We’re also delivering the biggest investment in public and community housing in Australia, ever. This investment will build more than 12,000 new homes – making sure thousands of Victorians have a place to call home, and thousands more Victorians have a job. Macedon Ranges Shire is a priority area for investment, with procurement starting straight away to build new homes.
And to help get more Victorians back into work, the Labor Government is setting itself an ambitious target – creating 400,000 new jobs by 2025, half of them by 2022.
Our new Jobs for Victoria initiative will help locals find a new job – and with it, security, stability and certainty. This includes $250 million to partner with employers to cover the wages of at least 10,000 new workers. These positions will be for Victorians hardest hit by this pandemic, including women, young people, retrenched workers and people who have been long-term unemployed.
This investment will also deliver targeted and tailored support for those who need it – such as mentoring, career counselling or more intensive support.
And because we know too many Victorians are having to choose between going to work sick and losing wages, the Labor Government will invest $5 million to develop a new Secure Work Pilot Scheme. Once in place, the two-year pilot will provide up to five days of sick and carer’s pay at the national minimum wage for casual or insecure workers in priority industries.
We're preparing regional Victoria for a strong recovery by investing in major projects across our cities, towns and communities. Extra funding will be provided to the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund as part of this year's Budget – boosting our regional industries, such as food and fibre and manufacturing, and supporting local jobs.
This year’s Budget will help nearly one million families save hundreds on their power bill. Concession card holders, such as Victorians receiving JobSeeker payments, will be eligible for a one-off $250 payment to help cover the cost of their energy bills.
An extra 250,000 low-income households will benefit from new more efficient heating and cooling, while heating, cooling or hot water systems will be upgraded across an extra 35,000 social housing homes – reducing bills for tenants and making winter and summer more comfortable.
The Labor Government’s Solar Homes will also be expanded to an extra 42,000 rooftop solar rebates plus 14,500 solar batteries, cutting power bills for local families. And for the very first time, small businesses will also be eligible.
The Labor Government will also invest in clean energy projects across our state – including new Renewable Energy Zones to generate, store and transmit energy – while also creating thousands of regional jobs.
Even with kids back at school, the balancing act that many families know all too well isn’t easy. That’s why this Budget will make kinder free in 2021 and deliver outside school hours care at up to 400 extra schools, saving parents money and giving them greater flexibility when it comes to work and care.
2020 has also reminded us of what matters most in life – the health and wellbeing of the people we love. As we begin our state’s recovery, that will continue to be our focus.
This Budget will ensure Victorians have the mental health support they need as we get on with fixing a broken system. That includes nearly $870 million for mental health, including to implement the Royal Commission into Mental Health’s interim report findings and recommendations and deliver care for local families.
We’re also investing more than $1 billion for children and families at risk, including targeted support to help families stay together. A further $235 million will build our Recovery Workforce, creating 500 new jobs across mental health, family violence, health and child protection with hundreds more new training opportunities, so Victorians have the support they need as we recover from this pandemic.
We also want to make sure we continue to give patients flexibility in their care, allowing them to choose what is best for them and their families. This Budget will invest $121 million for ‘Better at Home’, increasing the delivery of hospital services in patients’ homes – ensuring these Victorians can recuperate in the comfort of their own home. We’ll also strengthen and expand virtual care technology, making it easier for busy families and patients in regional and rural communities to access support.
This is a Budget to repair, recover and make us stronger than before. This is a Budget, and a Government, that puts people first.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"2020 has reminded us of what matters most. It's why this Budget invests in the safety and security of our family, friends and neighbours."
"This much-needed upgrade to Kyneton High School will ensure our kids have a great local school and create new local jobs."
The old Kyneton Primary School occupies a special place in our region’s heart. One that is based on its history as one of the oldest schools in Victoria, and the memories that so many people in our community have forged there.
That’s why the Andrews Government will invest $12million into the Old Kyneton Primary School site on Baynton Street to create a new exhibition space, heralding a new future for the site.
The 1.2 hectare site, located at 7-15 Baynton Street, includes heritage and non-heritage buildings and a large outdoor green space that adjoins the town square.
In 2018 Premier Daniel Andrews made a commitment that this site would continue to be a public space, a space for the community, and this announcement will ensure that the necessary upgrades can occur.
More than that, it delivers a bold new future that celebrates and builds on the Macedon Ranges reputation as a dynamic and creative hub.
The exhibition space will complement existing public and private art galleries, workshops and other creative events across central Victoria.
This funding will not only support that essential maintenance and upgrades for the buildings, but also provides a clear indication of the community’s ambitions for the site.
Expressions of Interest from organisations, groups or individuals with the skills, experience and vision to create a vibrant, sustainable place in the heart of Kyneton were sought earlier this year.
Six Expressions of Interest were submitted and each underwent a rigorous assessment by a panel including representatives from the Department of Treasury and Finance, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Department of Premier and Cabinet and an independent auditor.
While the EOI process has now been completed, the Government is negotiating in confidence with the recommended EOI respondent.
This announcement is part of a $34.7 million investment in regional creative infrastructure projects that will entertain, inspire and delight regional communities across the state.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
“This $12 million investment for the creation of art exhibition spaces cements Central Victoria’s reputation as an arts and culture destination.”
“I’m proud that this funding matches our community’s ambition for this hugely significant site – and I look forward to continuing to work with the community to see the site reach its full potential.”
The old Kyneton Primary School occupies a special place in our region’s heart. One that is based on its history as one of the oldest schools in Victoria, and the memories that so many people in our community have forged there.
That’s why the Andrews Government will invest $12million into the Old Kyneton Primary School site on Baynton Street to create a new exhibition space, heralding a new future for the site.
The 1.2 hectare site, located at 7-15 Baynton Street, includes heritage and non-heritage buildings and a large outdoor green space that adjoins the town square.
In 2018 Premier Daniel Andrews made a commitment that this site would continue to be a public space, a space for the community, and this announcement will ensure that the necessary upgrades can occur.
More than that, it delivers a bold new future that celebrates and builds on the Macedon Ranges reputation as a dynamic and creative hub.
The exhibition space will complement existing public and private art galleries, workshops and other creative events across central Victoria.
This funding will not only support that essential maintenance and upgrades for the buildings, but also provides a clear indication of the community’s ambitions for the site.
Expressions of Interest from organisations, groups or individuals with the skills, experience and vision to create a vibrant, sustainable place in the heart of Kyneton were sought earlier this year.
Six Expressions of Interest were submitted and each underwent a rigorous assessment by a panel including representatives from the Department of Treasury and Finance, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Department of Premier and Cabinet and an independent auditor.
While the EOI process has now been completed, the Government is negotiating in confidence with the recommended EOI respondent.
This announcement is part of a $34.7 million investment in regional creative infrastructure projects that will entertain, inspire and delight regional communities across the state.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
“This $12 million investment for the creation of art exhibition spaces cements Central Victoria’s reputation as an arts and culture destination.”
“I’m proud that this funding matches our community’s ambition for this hugely significant site – and I look forward to continuing to work with the community to see the site reach its full potential.”
The Victorian Government is making sure more Victorians have the security and stability of a home, with our state's – and Australia’s – biggest ever investment in public and community housing.
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will deliver a historic $5.3 billion Big Housing Build to build more than 12,000 new homes throughout metro and regional Victoria, as well as supporting around 10,000 jobs, per year over the next four years, to supercharge Victoria’s economic recovery through the pandemic and beyond.
This package will boost our state’s social housing supply by 10 per cent in just four years – providing a stable foundation for thousands of Victorians to build their lives.
The Macedon Ranges has been identified as one of 21 priority areas across Victoria, with expressions of interest now being sought from the housing and building sectors.
The program will deliver secure, modern, and affordable homes throughout Victoria – with 25 per cent of funding to be allocated to regional Victoria – including a minimum investment of $30 million in the Macedon Ranges.
The investment will deliver 9,300 new social housing homes across the state – including replacing 1,100 old public housing units. This investment will help Aboriginal Victorians, pensioners, Victorians with disability, family violence victims and single parent families find their feet.
Of these new homes, 2,000 will be for Victorians living with mental illness, reflecting our commitment to mental health and fixing a broken system.
A further 2,900 new affordable and low-cost homes will be built to help low-to-moderate income earners live closer to where they work and provide options for private rental. The new homes will meet 7-star energy efficiency standards, making them more comfortable during summer and winter, and saving tenants on their power bills.
The unprecedented investment will boost Victoria’s economic recovery, generating an estimated $6.7 billion in economic activity and supporting a peak of more than 18,000 jobs – with 10 per cent of the work on major projects to be done by apprentices, cadets and trainees.
Hundreds of new jobs will be created for women, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, social housing tenants and people from diverse backgrounds through social procurement targets.
Combined with new housing from existing investments such as the Public Housing Renewal Program and Social Housing Growth Fund, construction of more than 15,800 new homes will begin over the next four years.
Quotes attributable Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
“This profound investment will make the world of difference to people in our community who need the stability and safety of a roof over their heads, to get ahead and thrive.”
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home – this record funding will deliver exactly that.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
“This unprecedented housing blitz will deliver new homes and jobs across Melbourne and regional Victoria.”
“We’re delivering the biggest investment in social housing Victoria has ever seen – we’re not just investing in bricks and mortar, but the lives of Victorians for decades to come.”
Quotes attributed to Julie Cairns, General Manager Community Services at Cobaw Community Health
“This is great news for the Macedon Ranges - access to affordable housing has been a growing and serious issue for our community.”
“An increase in local housing options will assist people to stay living in the area and address a critical housing shortage.”
The Victorian Government is making sure more Victorians have the security and stability of a home, with our state's – and Australia’s – biggest ever investment in public and community housing.
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will deliver a historic $5.3 billion Big Housing Build to build more than 12,000 new homes throughout metro and regional Victoria, as well as supporting around 10,000 jobs, per year over the next four years, to supercharge Victoria’s economic recovery through the pandemic and beyond.
This package will boost our state’s social housing supply by 10 per cent in just four years – providing a stable foundation for thousands of Victorians to build their lives.
The Macedon Ranges has been identified as one of 21 priority areas across Victoria, with expressions of interest now being sought from the housing and building sectors.
The program will deliver secure, modern, and affordable homes throughout Victoria – with 25 per cent of funding to be allocated to regional Victoria – including a minimum investment of $30 million in the Macedon Ranges.
The investment will deliver 9,300 new social housing homes across the state – including replacing 1,100 old public housing units. This investment will help Aboriginal Victorians, pensioners, Victorians with disability, family violence victims and single parent families find their feet.
Of these new homes, 2,000 will be for Victorians living with mental illness, reflecting our commitment to mental health and fixing a broken system.
A further 2,900 new affordable and low-cost homes will be built to help low-to-moderate income earners live closer to where they work and provide options for private rental. The new homes will meet 7-star energy efficiency standards, making them more comfortable during summer and winter, and saving tenants on their power bills.
The unprecedented investment will boost Victoria’s economic recovery, generating an estimated $6.7 billion in economic activity and supporting a peak of more than 18,000 jobs – with 10 per cent of the work on major projects to be done by apprentices, cadets and trainees.
Hundreds of new jobs will be created for women, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, social housing tenants and people from diverse backgrounds through social procurement targets.
Combined with new housing from existing investments such as the Public Housing Renewal Program and Social Housing Growth Fund, construction of more than 15,800 new homes will begin over the next four years.
Quotes attributable Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
“This profound investment will make the world of difference to people in our community who need the stability and safety of a roof over their heads, to get ahead and thrive.”
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home – this record funding will deliver exactly that.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
“This unprecedented housing blitz will deliver new homes and jobs across Melbourne and regional Victoria.”
“We’re delivering the biggest investment in social housing Victoria has ever seen – we’re not just investing in bricks and mortar, but the lives of Victorians for decades to come.”
Quotes attributed to Julie Cairns, General Manager Community Services at Cobaw Community Health
“This is great news for the Macedon Ranges - access to affordable housing has been a growing and serious issue for our community.”
“An increase in local housing options will assist people to stay living in the area and address a critical housing shortage.”
Trentham families will soon have access to a first-rate and modern early childhood facility just in time for the roll out of funded Three-Year-Old Kinder.
Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Trentham Kindergarten to inspect the works on the kindergarten’s $668,435 upgrade, ahead of its opening in Term 1, 2021.
The project includes the construction of a new room and decking, accessible toilet and storeroom, as well as upgrades to the existing kindergarten’s toilets, kitchen and entryway.
It will provide an extra 22 places in response to the additional demand for three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten, as well as provide capacity to provide childcare.
Trentham Kindergarten’s upgrade will be open in time for the roll-out of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in Hepburn Shire in 2021.
The upgrade was funded from the Building Blocks Program which supports early childhood providers create infrastructure capacity for three- and four-year-old funded kindergarten services, improves early learning facilities and creates inclusive settings.
In an Australian-first, the Victorian Government is investing almost $5 billion this decade to deliver two years of funded kindergarten for all Victorian children, with the roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten underway this year.
As part of this roll-out, the Government is upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state.
The Victorian Government is also investing up to $169.6 million to make kinder free next year, saving families around $2000 for every child enrolled in a participating funded kindergarten program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt
“Giving families access to high-quality kindergarten close to home is vital to ensuring children have a world-class education in the early years.”
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“It’s fantastic to see how Trentham children will benefit from their upgraded kinder – in time for Three-Year-Old Kinder being rolled out in Hepburn next year.”
Trentham families will soon have access to a first-rate and modern early childhood facility just in time for the roll out of funded Three-Year-Old Kinder.
Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Trentham Kindergarten to inspect the works on the kindergarten’s $668,435 upgrade, ahead of its opening in Term 1, 2021.
The project includes the construction of a new room and decking, accessible toilet and storeroom, as well as upgrades to the existing kindergarten’s toilets, kitchen and entryway.
It will provide an extra 22 places in response to the additional demand for three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten, as well as provide capacity to provide childcare.
Trentham Kindergarten’s upgrade will be open in time for the roll-out of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in Hepburn Shire in 2021.
The upgrade was funded from the Building Blocks Program which supports early childhood providers create infrastructure capacity for three- and four-year-old funded kindergarten services, improves early learning facilities and creates inclusive settings.
In an Australian-first, the Victorian Government is investing almost $5 billion this decade to deliver two years of funded kindergarten for all Victorian children, with the roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten underway this year.
As part of this roll-out, the Government is upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state.
The Victorian Government is also investing up to $169.6 million to make kinder free next year, saving families around $2000 for every child enrolled in a participating funded kindergarten program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt
“Giving families access to high-quality kindergarten close to home is vital to ensuring children have a world-class education in the early years.”
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“It’s fantastic to see how Trentham children will benefit from their upgraded kinder – in time for Three-Year-Old Kinder being rolled out in Hepburn next year.”
Are you a passionate and community-minded young person? Apply now!
Are you a passionate and community-minded young person? Apply now!
Mental health is something that affects every Victorian. From teenagers to retirees, mums and dads, and workers in all trades and professions.
Almost half of all Victorians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. All of us will know someone who has experienced mental illness or mental health issues.
We know many people do not seek treatment for their mental health issues, or do not receive the level of care they need.
This is why the Andrews Government has established a Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – the first of its kind in Australia. It’s an opportunity to repair and build the modern, contemporary mental health system Victorians deserve.
Access the report here
The Commission will continue to involve people with lived experience of mental illness in its work and in developing the final report.
More information about ongoing engagement work, including the public hearings, will be published on the Commission’s website in coming months.
Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley (pictured far left) was interviewed by the Macedon Youth Council members Laura Crozier and Miranda Johnson-Jones as part of a forum held at Gisborne Secondary College to discuss the findings of the interim report and its impact on the young people of our region.
"For far too long, mental health hasn’t received the attention it deserves. But as a government and as a state, we’re are serious about this issue – and it’s going to save lives.
This is an issue that has deeply impacted our community and I look forward to working with each of you into the future to ensure that we get the best outcomes for our community." Minister Foley
Annie Rowland also spoke about the work that Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group are doing in developing a community support model to better support people living with mental illness or suicidal ideation in the community. To keep informed about the fantastic work this group are doing visit their website here and follow them on Facebook.
MENTAL HEALTH AND SERVICE GUIDE
My Mental Health Contacts & Services Guide is updated annually and goes out to schools, local GP’s and community health services, and contains information about local services, support groups, specialist support, phone apps and more.
If you’d like a hard copies of the booklet, give my office a call on (03) 5428 2138
[simplebooklet src="https://simplebooklet.com/embed.php?wpKey=EDeXcfNZ8Cfv7J1d52CAIA&source=wordpress" width="553" height="1167"]
Mental health is something that affects every Victorian. From teenagers to retirees, mums and dads, and workers in all trades and professions.
Almost half of all Victorians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. All of us will know someone who has experienced mental illness or mental health issues.
We know many people do not seek treatment for their mental health issues, or do not receive the level of care they need.
This is why the Andrews Government has established a Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – the first of its kind in Australia. It’s an opportunity to repair and build the modern, contemporary mental health system Victorians deserve.
Access the report here
The Commission will continue to involve people with lived experience of mental illness in its work and in developing the final report.
More information about ongoing engagement work, including the public hearings, will be published on the Commission’s website in coming months.
Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley (pictured far left) was interviewed by the Macedon Youth Council members Laura Crozier and Miranda Johnson-Jones as part of a forum held at Gisborne Secondary College to discuss the findings of the interim report and its impact on the young people of our region.
"For far too long, mental health hasn’t received the attention it deserves. But as a government and as a state, we’re are serious about this issue – and it’s going to save lives.
This is an issue that has deeply impacted our community and I look forward to working with each of you into the future to ensure that we get the best outcomes for our community." Minister Foley
Annie Rowland also spoke about the work that Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group are doing in developing a community support model to better support people living with mental illness or suicidal ideation in the community. To keep informed about the fantastic work this group are doing visit their website here and follow them on Facebook.
MENTAL HEALTH AND SERVICE GUIDE
My Mental Health Contacts & Services Guide is updated annually and goes out to schools, local GP’s and community health services, and contains information about local services, support groups, specialist support, phone apps and more.
If you’d like a hard copies of the booklet, give my office a call on (03) 5428 2138
[simplebooklet src="https://simplebooklet.com/embed.php?wpKey=EDeXcfNZ8Cfv7J1d52CAIA&source=wordpress" width="553" height="1167"]
The Toolern Vale community has been successful in their campaign for a speed reduction on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.
Locals and residents from surrounding towns travelling through Toolern Vale will have a safer journey thanks to a speed limit change along on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.
The Andrews Labor Government has listened to locals and will now implement a speed limit reduction between Gisborne-Melton Road and O’Connell Avenue – from 80km/hour to 60km/hour.
The change will come into effect when new speed limit signs are installed in mid-2020, with the impact on travel time expected to be minimal.
Reducing the speed limit will improve safety for everyone driving through and living in Toolern Vale, especially pedestrians crossing the road to get around town.
The Toolern Vale community have advocated tirelessly to see this important change made, and I want to acknowledge everyone who signed the petition to make it happen.
For updates about the speed reduction visit Vic Roads
The Toolern Vale community has been successful in their campaign for a speed reduction on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.
Locals and residents from surrounding towns travelling through Toolern Vale will have a safer journey thanks to a speed limit change along on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road.
The Andrews Labor Government has listened to locals and will now implement a speed limit reduction between Gisborne-Melton Road and O’Connell Avenue – from 80km/hour to 60km/hour.
The change will come into effect when new speed limit signs are installed in mid-2020, with the impact on travel time expected to be minimal.
Reducing the speed limit will improve safety for everyone driving through and living in Toolern Vale, especially pedestrians crossing the road to get around town.
The Toolern Vale community have advocated tirelessly to see this important change made, and I want to acknowledge everyone who signed the petition to make it happen.
For updates about the speed reduction visit Vic Roads
Sign our petition and tell Prime Minister Scott Morrison that we need $10 million from the federal government to make the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct a reality.
The Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct is an ambitious, community-initiated project that will deliver the indoor and outdoor sporting and recreational facilities our community needs now and into the future.
The facilities will be spread across two interconnected sites in New Gisborne at the corner of Barringo Rd and Hamilton Road and support a wide range of local sporting and community organisations and clubs; and also attract regional, state and other elite level competitions.
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to this project and that's why we have delivered $11.6 million towards making the Precinct a reality.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council are leading the development of the Precinct and have a planned contribution of $10 million and $100,000 in support from AFL Victoria. This project will only be delivered with all three levels of government paying their fair share.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council have announced that the design services tender for the precinct has been awarded to City Collective Pty. Ltd - which means we're one step closer to giving our growing clubs the facilities they need.
It's well past time this vital project was funded, so we need to take action together.
I encourage players, coaches, volunteers, parents and friends to write to the Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, to request the Federal Government contribute their fair share so we can get the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct underway.
If you're uncertain on how to write a letter to the Minister, you can download a handy template here - Letter Template - Minister for Sport.
Send your emails to senator.colbeck@aph.gov.au - and let's keep up the momentum until we see the funding secured!
The Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct will comprise of the following:
Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub
The Regional Sports Hub concept is envisioned as a four-to-six court indoor stadium and community activity hub in New Gisborne and is set to feature:
Change rooms and amenities
Indoor sports courts
Storage
Show court
Spectator seating
Multipurpose rooms
Car parking
Sports administration area
Café and social area
Regional Sports Fields
In addition to a new oval complex in New Gisborne, including a regional synthetic surface ground and associated buildings the regional sports fields project will also include recreational facilities such as walking tracks, cycling, passive recreation spaces and playgrounds.
Natural grass sports field
Synthetic surface sports field
Activity area
Car park
Play space
BBQ area
Wet lands/detention basin
Gym equipment
Tennis courts
Cricket nets
Read more about the project developments here
Sign our petition and tell Prime Minister Scott Morrison that we need $10 million from the federal government to make the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct a reality.
The Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct is an ambitious, community-initiated project that will deliver the indoor and outdoor sporting and recreational facilities our community needs now and into the future.
The facilities will be spread across two interconnected sites in New Gisborne at the corner of Barringo Rd and Hamilton Road and support a wide range of local sporting and community organisations and clubs; and also attract regional, state and other elite level competitions.
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to this project and that's why we have delivered $11.6 million towards making the Precinct a reality.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council are leading the development of the Precinct and have a planned contribution of $10 million and $100,000 in support from AFL Victoria. This project will only be delivered with all three levels of government paying their fair share.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council have announced that the design services tender for the precinct has been awarded to City Collective Pty. Ltd - which means we're one step closer to giving our growing clubs the facilities they need.
It's well past time this vital project was funded, so we need to take action together.
I encourage players, coaches, volunteers, parents and friends to write to the Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, to request the Federal Government contribute their fair share so we can get the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct underway.
If you're uncertain on how to write a letter to the Minister, you can download a handy template here - Letter Template - Minister for Sport.
Send your emails to senator.colbeck@aph.gov.au - and let's keep up the momentum until we see the funding secured!
The Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct will comprise of the following:
Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub
The Regional Sports Hub concept is envisioned as a four-to-six court indoor stadium and community activity hub in New Gisborne and is set to feature:
Change rooms and amenities
Indoor sports courts
Storage
Show court
Spectator seating
Multipurpose rooms
Car parking
Sports administration area
Café and social area
Regional Sports Fields
In addition to a new oval complex in New Gisborne, including a regional synthetic surface ground and associated buildings the regional sports fields project will also include recreational facilities such as walking tracks, cycling, passive recreation spaces and playgrounds.
Natural grass sports field
Synthetic surface sports field
Activity area
Car park
Play space
BBQ area
Wet lands/detention basin
Gym equipment
Tennis courts
Cricket nets
Read more about the project developments here