Mary-Anne Thomas

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign commencing on the 25th of November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, concluding on the 10th December – Human Rights Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness at local, national and international levels regarding gendered violence and the important role we all have to play in ending it. Victoria is the leading jurisdiction in the prevention of family violence in Australia and the campaign continues to be an important event across the Macedon electorate. Today, Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Centre for Non-Violence (CNV) at their Kyneton Hub, to raise awareness of the services that are available locally and to lend her support for the 16 Days of Activism. The CNV Hub is located at Sunbury Cobaw Community Health, 1 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton. CNV works closely with The Orange Door, a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children. The Orange Door is available to those living in the Macedon Ranges. We know that violence against women and girls starts with a lack of respect for women and girls. Ms Thomas is encouraging locals to join her Respect is …. Initiative by taking a photo of themselves and their friends, holding up an answer to the question ‘To me, Respect is…’. Photos can be emailed to mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au to help create an artwork to commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism. The Andrews Labor Government is proudly leading the nation in its commitment to ending family violence, with more than $3.5 billion invested so far into reforming the family violence system. We are implementing every single one of the 227 recommendations that emerged from the landmark Royal Commission into Family Violence, and we have already implemented 204. Work is well underway on acquitting the remaining 23 recommendations. Across prevention, early intervention and response – we’re committed to implementing the systemic and cultural change needed to address the drivers of violence. Family and gendered violence affects all communities. And while we come far, we know we still have a way to go. We each have a role to play in ending violence in our state and, through this campaign, our resolve is only strengthened. Quotes attributable Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas “Congratulations to the local organisations, service clubs and local governments who are supporting the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism to end gendered violence.’ ‘The Andrews Government is proud to support the Centre for Non-Violence deliver their important services here in Kyneton. I can assure our community that trusted, confidential and free family violence services are available locally.’ “I am proud to live in a community that supports women and families to live in safety'.

More of the Gisborne community will be protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays thanks to the sixth round of Community Shade grants released by the Andrews Labor Government to install shade in public areas such as sports clubs, parks and playgrounds. Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP today announced that the Gisborne Football Netball Club will share in over $1.3 million of funding from the latest round of the Community Shade Grants program. The Shade Grants Program is part of the Labor Government’s skin cancer prevention election commitment to provide $15.1 million over four years in skin cancer prevention initiatives. The program provides grants to build new shade structures, repair existing structures, or create natural shade by planting trees. Funding is also provided to purchase sun protective items including hats and sunscreen. Good quality shade can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent, and offers the best protection against harmful UV radiation when used in combination with other sun protective measures such as clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Through this program the Government is supporting [insert electorate] to keep active and enjoy the outdoors, while also helping them to be sun smart and prevent skin cancer. In 2019, melanoma was the fifth most common cancer in Victoria with 2,841 new cases and sadly 270 deaths. The five-year survival rate for Victorians diagnosed with melanoma was 92 per cent in 2014-2018, compared to 69 percent for all cancers. The Community Shade Grants Program is complemented by the School Shade Grants Program, which provides shade for Victorian Government schools. In 2021, these programs have awarded 354 grants across Victoria totalling $2.75 million in funding. So far, these programs have awarded 1988 grants totalling more than $17.5 million in funding across Victoria. Round seven of the Shade Grants Program will open in mid-2022. It forms part of the Government’s ambitious Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24 which sets out a target to halve the proportion of Victorians diagnosed with preventable cancers by 2040. Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas: “We know how much Victorians love the outdoors. These grants mean that our local Gisborne community can still enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle while having the necessary shade to protect them from the sun.” “Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Australia. That’s why this program is so important to ensure Victorian communities are protected from harmful UV rays which could contribute to skin cancer.” “Our grants programs have helped hundreds of schools and community groups provide the protection Victorians need to prevent cancer and stay SunSmart.”

The Victorian Government is making sure young children have access to the best kinder facilities with hundreds of projects to upgrade and improve learning environments while supporting local jobs across Victoria. Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that kindergartens in the Macedon Ranges have been given $390,726 funding to upgrade amenities and refurbishments from the first round of grants in the $30 million Building Blocks – Refurbishment and Minor Works program. Projects include: Manna Gum Family and Children's Centre will receive $360,600 for a playground redevelopment that will include an extension the northern outdoor play space to include quiet and more natural play areas for the children. A correction to the existing northern space and developing and constructing the western play space to create an environment that supports and promotes inclusion, participation and a sense of belonging for children with all abilities. This will provide children with areas in which children can develop their gross motor skills. The playground will include natural elements that allow children to connect to their world and learn about the environment, traditional owners and the eco system. Lancefield Kindergarten will receive $30,126 to update children’s toilet amenities and staff office area. Proposed works will improve the condition of the facility, respond to occupational health and safety concerns and provide greater privacy for children at the centre. In total, $12 million worth of grants will go towards 105 projects at kinders across the state. Forty-seven projects will receive grants of up to $500,000 for major works and refurbishments, while 58 centres will receive grants of up to $50,000 for minor works and refurbishments. Funding in this round will also help boost local economies by supporting more than 180 jobs in construction and associated industries. Building Blocks Grants is a streamlined overarching funding scheme that supports early childhood providers with new and existing infrastructure and facilities for eligible three and four-year-old kindergarten services. For more information about Building Blocks Grants, visit: https://schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Building-Blocks. In an Australian-first, the Government is investing almost $5 billion this decade to provide three-year-old children with access to an additional year of funded kindergarten programs. From 2022, three-year-old children across the state will have access to at least five hours of kindergarten. Services will then scale up their hours to reach the full 15-hour program by 2029. As part of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten roll-out, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 has invested $1.68 billion to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state over this decade. Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas “We understand the importance of making sure our local early learning centres in the Macedon Ranges are able to give our local children the best start to life in the Education State.” Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt “Building the Education State starts with the early years ─ we are raising the condition of existing kindergartens by ensuring they are modern, safe and fit-for-purpose to give our children the best start.” “This funding not only improves the condition of early childhood buildings, it also supports jobs and local communities across the state.”

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 $14.8 million towards making the Precinct a reality - $11.6 million in the 2019/20 Budget and $3.2 million as part of the Growing Suburbs Fund. 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