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OTHER USEFUL COVID-19 INFORMATION

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Click on the links below!

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Otherwise, I look forward to providing you with updates in our my monthly Brooksy’s Briefing newsletter which goes out to all households in the Bundoora electorate.

The Victorian Government has already embarked upon the biggest transport building program ever with the Level Crossing Removal Project, Mernda Rail Extension and the Airport Rail Link plan to name a few.

But now it’s time for the Suburban Rail Loop! This will be a key transport project that will slash congestion across the entire rail network, not to mention congestion on our roads. This loop will connect all of Melbourne’s rail lines, starting at Cheltenham and ending at Werribee. It will also connect regional commuters to the suburbs without having to go into the city first.

The Suburban Loop will potentially have stations at Doncaster, Bundoora (in our electorate), Broadmeadows and Melbourne Airport. This means trains directly from Bundoora to the airport and trains to La Trobe University

Not only will this connect Victorians to key transport hubs, but it will better connect them to jobs, universities and TAFEs, hospitals and retail centres.

Check out this video for more information!

You might remember that following a spike in enrolments some years ago, the already ageing facilities were struggling to keep up with all the extra use. Heaters had stopped working and bags were falling through floors. The previous government didn’t do anything to help.

The current Victorian Government, after being elected in 2014, committed $10 million to the first stage of rebuilding this great local school.

With works now complete, students are now enjoying a new sports hall, senior school and specialist centre. The new senior school features four classrooms, an information centre, project spaces, study areas, seminar rooms and spaces for art, graphics and design, while the specialist centre provides areas for food tech and performing arts, as well as lecture spaces and music rooms.

Students and the broader Greensborough community will also have access to a new sports hall, which includes a full-size court for netball, basketball, volleyball as well as three badminton courts.

I’m pictured here with Education Minister, James Merlino, the College Principal, Pauline Barker and some fantastic students in the new sports stadium!

The Victorian Government has invested an unprecedented $3.8 billion in school infrastructure over the past four Budgets to ensure it can continue to cater for the estimated 90,000 students who are expected to enter the school system over the next five years.

This school building boom has delivered more than 1,300 school upgrades and 70 new school projects across the state, supporting more than 5,000 construction jobs for Victorians.

Today I was pleased to announced that the Merv Irvine Nursing Home, located in Bundoora, will receive $300,000 as a part of the Victorian Government’s ‘Significant Facility Refurbishment Initiative’. This facility plays a key role in providing care for people with high-needs dementia and other psycho-geriatric conditions in our community.

The funding will be put towards upgrading residents’ ensuites and rooms. These upgrades seek to optimise the independence, dignity and privacy of the residents at the facility. More broadly, the upgrade will assist in improving infection control and providing a more dementia-friendly environment for all residents.

The upgrades will not only modernise facilities but also improve comfort and safety for residents and staff, and assist public sector aged care facilities to be sustainable into the future. In addition to the $10 million Significant Facility Refurbishment Initiative, there is also funding of $1.1 million which will see up to 1,000 public sector health and aged care nurses receive specialist training to improve the treatment and care of our elderly Victorians.

The training will ensure that staff at the Merv Irvine Nursing Home and other facilities across the state are better able to serve our senior citizens. It will help staff better identify and manage a range of physical and mental health issues commonly experienced by older people. The training will be led by the Australian Nurses and Midwifery Federation in partnership with LaTrobe University and will begin in September.

I am pictured here in 2013 with local MP Jenny Mikakos displaying a petition from the local community in support of the Merv Irvine Nursing Home.

The Government’s preferred route will include a Transport Hub at Sunshine. Direct trains will then head north using existing rail reserves and sections of tunnel to protect local homes and businesses before connecting to the Airport.

This is a congestion-busting project that will connect Melbourne Airport with all metro and regional train lines.

Construction is set to get underway in 2022, but in the meantime check out this video for more information about the project.

The Victorian Government has contributed $5 million alongside the City of Whittlesea’s $20 million to completely upgrade fitness and aquatic facilities at the centre.  The redevelopment will include the addition of three new multipurpose pools, enlarged gym and fitness facilities and a family play and BBQ area. The $25 million project will upgrade the existing 25 metre pool to include a new disability access ramp alongside new recreational and meeting spaces. It will also expand the administration, parking and retail areas as well as amenities such as change rooms and toilets.

$3 million of the Victorian Government’s contribution is from the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund. This Fund helps provide high-quality, accessible and innovative sport and recreational facilities across Victoria. The remaining $2 million is from the Growing Suburbs Fund. This assists communities in Melbourne’s diverse and growing outer suburbs meet local infrastructure needs. Combining these two Victorian Government strategies ensures that local infrastructure projects will make a big difference to the day-to-day lives of local families.

I want to thank the Mayor of the City of Whittlesea, Cr Kris Pavlidis (pictured with us here at the Leisure Centre) for her support and enthusiasm in delivering this new state-of-the-art aquatic and fitness hub.

Mill Park Leisure Centre will be closed for the duration of the redevelopment. However, residents can continue to enjoy aquatic and fitness programs at Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre. The project is due to be completed by mid-2020.

For more information please visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/about-us/major-council-projects/mill-park-leisure-redevelopment/

While the Victorian Government is investing in measures to make housing more affordable and to ease costs of living for low income households, there’s always more that can be done. We can all do our bit to support those in our community who are in need of assistance, as well as to support our volunteers who provide vital services to those experiencing homelessness all over Australia.

That’s why this year I’ll be joining other community leaders on Saturday 7 July for the Diamond Valley Community Sleepout. This event aims to support Vinnies’ volunteers on the frontline who visit people in their homes to offer a gentle hand up in times of crisis.

For more information on this event, click here.

Stage 1 of the project includes a new sports hall and senior school with state-of-the-art facilities. This funding will also repurpose the old gymnasium into a new specialist centre, deliver great visual art and performing arts spaces alongside new canteen and home economics facilities. Some of these buildings have already been complete, with the rest of the project due to be finished within months.

Recently, I visited the school to check the progress of construction works with students and Principal Pauline Barker. It was really fantastic to see students enjoying the newly completed sports hall and some of the completed classrooms.

I can’t wait to see the school when the whole project has been completed!

Students enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing at RMIT will benefit from a technology-enhanced learning experience using simulation laboratories and a new web-based simulation experience that can be accessed online at any time.

The project aims to develop a transformative Enrolled Nurse program, which involves a shift from classroom based learning to a stimulation learning model. Only the Andrews Government understands the need to ensure students receive high quality training that delivers the workforce skills employers need.

More broadly, the Victorian Government is supporting TAFEs and training providers to work in partnership with industry to develop new innovative training programs, products and projects that harness the very latest technologies and approaches. This will provide more agile, flexible and relevant TAFEs across Victoria that are adapted to meet both the needs of industry and the needs of our local community.

This collaboration between Northern Health, RMIT and the Victorian Government is yet another example of the way we are revitalising Victoria’s training and TAFE system.

This includes the much anticipated duplication of Childs Road between Beaumont Crescent to Prince of Wales Avenue. This means getting rid of the bottleneck over the Darebin Creek. A big thank you to Member for Mill Park, Lily D’Ambrosio MP, for her strong advocacy in getting this project funded.

Check out the video for more information.

A total of $6.2 million has been allocated to the school to provide much needed upgrades to the facilities and infrastructure at the school. This means that when the project is completed, the students will be able to enjoy new multipurpose classrooms designed for 21^st century learning as well as dedicated spaces for music. The additional funds will also help construct a new multipurpose administration area.

As you can see, construction has already started – the basketball court where I stood last year is gone and will become the new music spaces very soon! I can’t wait to see the project when it is finished. It’s not just me who can’t wait, but students Omar and Lola, Principal Lee Pollard and Assistant principal Julie Dunn are also excited!

More patients in Melbourne’s north will soon have faster access to healthcare and surgery services thanks to this world class expansion. Once complete, the hospital will feature a new seven storey tower, an additional three operating theatres and 96 new inpatient beds. This means that the expanded hospital will be able to treat an extra 10,000 each year.

Early works will involve relocating the existing 18-bed intensive care unit on site and delivering expanded back office accommodation and a new loading dock alongside other support services. The Victorian Government is also planning for the future with extra space around the hospital earmarked for further expansion projects involving cardiology services, cath labs and medical imaging services.

As the population of the northern suburbs continues to grow, the healthcare services provided to our community need to grow as well. The Northern Hospital currently serves over 365,000 annually and this number is expected to grow to over 550,000 by 2031.

The staff at Northern Hospital provide excellent healthcare services to our community. That’s why the Victorian Government is doing everything it can to support our wonderful staff in continuing to provide safe, quality healthcare services to our community.

This $162 million investment is in addition to the $426.7 received by the Northern Hospital by the Victorian Government last year.

Construction at the hospital is due to be completed in 2021.

This will also include a new, revamped station in Rosanna.

To get these works finished ahead of time and reduce the overall impact on commuters, the Level Crossing Removal Authority will begin a 44 day ‘construction blitz’ on 16 March. The purpose of this blitz is to allow full construction works to be completed by mid-2018 (6 months ahead of schedule).

Many people in the community have said they would prefer to have this temporary disruption, than a long, drawn-out process. While I know that this is causing significant impacts, particularly in peak times, the end result will be much better transport in the north-east.

Buses will be replacing trains, and there will be some closures to main and local roads which will result in longer travel times. It’s important that you plan ahead during this time and allow extra time for travel.

Head to the LXRA’s website levelcrossings.vic.gov.au for more information or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/levelcrossings to keep up with the latest announcements.

Construction works have now been completed and 101 extra car spaces have been added to Watsonia Station!

25 August 2016

Local commuters will benefit from up to 100 extra car parking spaces at Watsonia station, easing pressure and making it easier to find a park. Watsonia station currently has capacity for 464 vehicles, but is often full before the end of the morning peak period.

Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks today said the additional parks will boost the station’s capacity to accommodate a total of up to 564 vehicles.

The installation of new lighting, CCTV footage and signage will improve safety and access to the station. The new parking spaces will be created in previously vacant leased land.

The extension is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $20 million investment to create more than 1500 commuter car park spaces at 16 busy train stations across the outer suburbs and regional Victoria. VicTrack are currently managing a tender calling for qualified construction firms to deliver the works.

The project will unlock land at stations to provide thousands of new sealed car parking spaces free of charge. Increasing parking capacity at stations like Watsonia, will also help to reduce traffic congestion on local streets by encouraging more commuters to use public transport.

Site planning and detailed design works at each station will begin this year to prepare the sites for construction to commence in early 2017. All construction works are expected to be completed by October 2017.

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks

“I know from experience, it’s often a struggle to find a park at Watsonia — which is why we’re creating up to a hundred new car parking spaces.”

“These spaces will help people access the trains they rely on every day to get to work, school and back home.”

“We want to make it easier for people to park, encourage more people to catch public transport, and ease congestion on our local roads.”

The Foundation have organised an event ‘Walk to the Valley’ on Sunday 19 November. The walk will begin at 10am from Heidelberg Cricket Ground and finish at Lower Plenty Football Ground. There will be food and entertainment at the end of the walk at Lower Plenty Football Ground. Dysons Buses will also be offering a shuttle between the two grounds.

Cost is $25 (kids under 12 free). Register for the walk at mycause.com.au/events/walktothevalley2017.

I urge you to join us to help raise funds and highlight the foundation’s work. It’s not a difficult walk and the whole family is welcome.

Switching on the lights marks the completion of the $900,000 upgrade, designed to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians accessing local services such as WaterMarc, Centrelink, Medicare and the Banyule Community Health Service.

The project was jointly delivered by the Andrews Government and Banyule City Council who contributed $500,000 and $400,000 respectively.

The intersection carries approximately 20,000 vehicles a day and is one of the busiest in Greensborough. Over the past five years, there have been seven crashes on this section of Grimshaw Street resulting in two serious injuries as well as four crashes on Flintoff Street resulting in one serious injury.

Quotes attributable to Colin Brooks, Member for Bundoora

“I’d like to thank all those who have supported the campaign for a pedestrian crossing including local residents, local community groups and businesses.”

“Over 230 local residents signed my original petition for a pedestrian crossing, and it was a pleasure to be joined by a number of them to officially switch on the pedestrian crossing lights.”

“The campaign for a pedestrian crossing began as a result of numerous stories of people taking their lives into their own hands crossing this intersection where motorists have limited vision.”

“Feedback from locals using the crossing has been overwhelmingly positive; making it easier and safer for them to access the surrounding services.”

While the state government is investing in our education system and in particular the kids who need support, there is always more that can be done. Without the right help, many kids fall behind or become disengaged from education, which can impact the rest of their life.

That’s why the work of The Smith Family is so important. They run a range of innovative programs to support kids get a decent education.

To support The Smith Family, I’ve teamed up again with my Parliamentary colleague and Ben Carroll (Member for Niddrie) and others to get on our bikes and ride Around the Bay 2017. I’ve been doing a lot of training for the event on 8 October and I’m looking forward to the challenge of tackling the 210km ride! Our team is called “Labor in Lycra” – certainly a sorry sight, but all for a good cause.

We’re asking people to sponsor our ride so if you can spare a few dollars (no amount is too small), we know the Smith Family will put it to good use.

All donations, no matter how small, are appreciated for this worthy cause.

To donate, head to our sponsorship page by clicking here.

After a competitive tender process, builder Lloyds Group Pty Ltd have been appointed to undertake the first stage of rebuilding the school.

This project will supply the school with a much-needed revitalisation of its facilities and resources to support the College’s education strategy. The first stage of the rebuild includes:

• Construction of a new Senior Building with flexible and collaborative learning spaces located at the heart of the campus
• An upgrade of Building D to include a specialist learning centre, an administration space, and performing arts and food technology facilities
• A new Sports Hall.

Colin Brooks said that funding for the rebuild had come on the back of a strong community campaign for better facilities at the school.

“I’d particularly like to thank former Principal, John Conway, and former School Councillors, Glenn Martin and Stella Goldsmith, who helped to bring the need for rebuilding to the then state government.” Mr Brooks said.

Funding of $10 million for the first stage of rebuilding Greensborough College was an election commitment of the Andrews Government. In the 2015-16 State Budget, Greensborough College received $1 million funding to commence planning for a modernisation project. In the 2016-17 State Budget, Greensborough College received $9 million funding to undertake construction on the project.

Construction will commence shortly and is expected to be completed by September 2018.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 will invest $162.7 million to upgrade the hospital, with an increase in operating theatres and additional beds that will allow an estimated 10,000 more patients to be treated each year.

The Stage 2 project will complete a seven storey tower and add 96 new inpatient beds, three operating theatres and more treatment rooms. These new beds will add to the existing 360 multi-day and same-day beds.

There will also be room to grow – with space for the future expansion of cardiology services, cath labs and medical imaging.

The last state government allocated just $29 million for Stage 1 of the expansion – a figure dwarfed by the Andrews Government’s commitment to Stage 2.

The Northern Hospital services more than 365,000 people, with an expected growth rate of 51 per cent up to 2031 set to push the population past 550,000.

Building works are expected to start late next year, and are due to be completed in 2021.

We’re building better hospitals to make sure we have the right services and infrastructure in place in Melbourne’s North, so we can best meet the demands of our rapidly growing community.

Northern Health

The Northern Hospital is part of Northern Health which operates the state’s busiest Emergency Department, which treats over 88,000 patients each year.

An average week at Northern Health includes:

• Over 1,700 patient arrivals to The Northern Hospital’s Emergency Department, of which 352 are children
• Over 450 ambulance arrivals
• Nearly 4,000 outpatients are treated across Northern Health’s campuses
• 306 patients receive an elective surgery procedure
  120 emergency surgeries take place
• 69 babies are born at The Northern Hospital

The $3,500,000 investment, delivered as part of the Victorian Budget 2017/18, will go towards making sure local kids get the best start in life.

Following planning money provided in last year’s Budget, this project will modernise and expand Bundoora Primary School.

Funding will be used to construct the first stage of works including a brand new school administration area, additional multipurpose rooms that reflect 21st century learning environments, and dedicated spaces for music curriculum. The Andrews Government is building and upgrading a record number of schools to make sure every child has every chance to succeed.

Colin Brooks, the State Member for Bundoora, visited the school today to announce the funding to students and staff.

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora, Colin Brooks

“This is great news for the Bundoora school community.”

“The wonderful students and their teachers at Bundoora deserve the best and that’s what the Andrews Government is delivering.”

“I’ve worked with the school over many years to address maintenance issues but it’s clear that the old buildings at the school need to be rebuilt, not patched over.”

DVCS is a fantastic local not-for-profit organisation providing support, information and referral to people in need. Run by volunteers, DVCS has been providing services to the community since 1972.

The op shop operated by DVCS provides them with much needed cash-flow to support their operations. That’s why it was exciting to see some good news in the form of a letter from the Premier advising that the state government has approved an $11,000 grant to cover their lost income from the op shop during this period.

If you get a chance, check out their op shop at 44 Aberdeen Road, Macleod! DVCS also runs the Kingsbury Drive Commmunity Market which is held every Sunday between 9.00am and 1.00pm. For more info head to www.dvsupport.org.au

Four years after it closed because of funding cuts by the Liberals, the TAFE campus has reopened for 2017, returning skills and training to the people of Greensborough and north-east Melbourne.

The official reopening took place at a breakfast with Melbourne Polytechnic staff and stakeholders who have played a vital role in making the reopening a reality.

Melbourne Polytechnic (formerly Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE) was hit hard by the Liberals’ funding cuts and received $19.5 million from the TAFE Rescue Fund – including $10 million to re-open Greensborough. This was added to last year with an additional $20 million to ensure Melbourne Polytechnic was ready to hit the ground running when the Greensborough campus reopened.

Among the courses being offered at the campus this year are certificates in community services and mental health, business and accounting, floristry, bookkeeping and property services.

It means local people will have access to real training close to home so they can get a real job.

The Greensborough TAFE campus will also be home to the new Banyule Tech School which is expected to open in 2018.

A big thank you to all the organisations who helped make this a reality, and especially to the tradies who worked hard over Christmas to ensure everything was ready to go.

Pictured: Colin Brooks with Vicki Ward MP (Member for Eltham) and pathology students at the reopening of the Greenbsorough TAFE campus.

The project, which has been funded from the Andrews Government’s Community Sport and Infrastructure Fund, will involve revamping the existing change rooms to make them female friendly, including reshaping the shower and toilet area, providing for access from other areas and changing the open showers into single showers.

The total project cost will be $180,000 which will include $30,000 from the club, $100,000 from Banyule Council and $50,000 from the state government.

Watsonia Heights Soccer Club is the largest soccer club in Banyule which boasts a 30% female participation rate, well above the Victorian average of 17%. The club currently has 25 junior teams, 3 senior men’s teams and 2 senior women’s teams.

For more information on the club, head to www.whfc.org.au

It will carry 100,000 cars a day, relieving congested freeways, slashing traffic in the north and east, and taking thousands of trucks off local roads. This will mean less time in traffic, and more time with friends and family in the north, south, and east, while the Western Distributor busts congestion in the west. Planning will get underway immediately, with $35 million to kick-start work spearheaded by a new expert North East Link Authority.

The business case, including determining the right route for the road, will be developed by 2018, and the planning and procurement processes will begin that year.

This government also understands the need to invest in both roads and public transport, which is why we’re also investing historic amounts into our public transport system including:

• 20 Level Crossing to be removed by 2018 and 50 by 2022.
• Metro Tunnel
• Mernda Rail extension
• Ordered new rolling stock (65 high capacity metro trains, 19 X’Trapolis and 20 trams).
• $1.3 billion spent on regional public transport
• $100 million into better buses including fixing the missing bus links in our growth areas and improving connections to universities and schools.

The funding is part of the $50-million Growing Suburbs Fund, designed to provide crucial facilities to Melbourne’s fast growing outer suburbs. More of these projects will be announced over the next week.

This is in stark contrast to the Liberals’ thought bubble population plan to move Melburnians to the regions. We are putting our fast growing outer suburbs first providing them with the projects and facilities they need.

Thirty-four community projects were funded across our growing outer suburbs as part of last year’s GSF, which included family and community centres, town centres, parks and reserves and playgrounds based on the needs identified by Councils.

Other projects announced today as part of the 2016 GSF in Whittlesea are:

• $1,005,000 for urban streetscape upgrades in Bundoora and Lalor
• $310,000 for a refurbishment of the Janefield Community Centre
• $167,000 for a playground renewal program in Mill Park and Thomastown

These projects are in addition to the $2.95 million for the Mosaic Recreation Reserve and Community Soccer Facility already announced for the council.

In 2015 the City of Whittlesea received $6,009,750 toward the delivery of five projects; the Epping Community Services Hub, the Barry Road Community Activity Centre, the Lalor Tennis Pavilion, the Mill Park Lakes Community Pavilion and a playground improvement program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins

 “The Growing Suburbs Fund is all about making Melbourne’s urban-fringe councils more liveable, inviting places with all the infrastructure they need.”

“These projects are a great example of the partnership between the Victorian and local governments working to deliver for our communities.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora, Colin Brooks

“This is another great announcement from the Andrews Labor Government for the people of Bundoora and all of Whittlesea.”

He also used the opportunity to announce maintenance funding from the Andrews Labor Government of $196,000. The money will be used for a range of maintenance projects, including replacing window frames, repainting the interior of the school and replacing flooring.

The funding is part of a boost of more than $40 million for school maintenance across the state which will give students at more than 400 schools access to better classrooms and facilities.

The Labor Government is building the Education State so that every Victorian student gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.

There are now 42 new government schools and hundreds of school upgrades in the construction pipeline following the Government’s record $1.8 billion investment in school infrastructure.

This school building boom will create 4000 construction jobs and ensure all Victorian families have access to a great school no matter where they live.

(Pictured above: Colin with students who received a certificate for the 2016 Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge)

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan was joined by Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks and former Victorian Premier John Cain to announce the introduction of low-floor trams to the route.

Route 86 was initially extended to La Trobe University under the former Cain Government during the 1980s and later to its current terminus at Bundoora RMIT.

The new E-Class trams will be the first low floor trams to operate along the corridor, making it safer and easier for passengers to get where they need to go, including La Trobe University’s Melbourne Campus.

Public Transport Victoria is working with Yarra Trams to prepare Route 86 for the introduction of the longer, high capacity trams, which will carry more passengers along the busy route.

A number of upgrades and alterations will ensure the longer E-Class trams can operate safely along the route, which travels through Docklands and Bourke Street Mall, and to the Princess Theatre, Melbourne Museum and High Street, Northcote.

E-Class trams are the biggest, safest and most accessible trams on the network. Each tram can carry 210 passengers when full, and include audio and visual passenger information, air conditioning, improved safety features and dedicated spaces for passengers with mobility aids or prams.

E-Class trams are being built in Melbourne at the Bombardier manufacturing facility in Dandenong, with 41 of the current order of 70 trams already running along Routes 96 and 11.

The new trams will be progressively introduced to Route 86 as they continue to come off the Melbourne manufacturing line.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“E-Class trams are the biggest, safest and most accessible trams we’ve ever had on our network — and they’re made right here in Melbourne.”   

“The introduction of E-Class trams on the busy Route 86 corridor will help us get more people where they need to go safer and sooner.”  

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks

“I know the community will enjoy seeing and getting on board these brand new trams, which many students will take advantage of to get to La Trobe University and Bundoora RMIT campuses.”

“Successive Labor Governments have all invested in the popular 86 tram route to deliver better public transport to Melbourne’s northern suburbs.”

(Pictured above: Colin with Former Premier and Member for Bundoora, John Cain, standing next to one of the new trams which will commence operation on the 86 route)

Kingsbury Primary School students are enjoying a new Safe Sanctuary Garden thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s $20 million Inclusive School’s Fund.

Kingsbury Primary School received $65,000 from the fund to upgrade facilities to support students with disabilities to better participate and engage with learning at their school.

Colin Brooks visited Kingsbury Primary School in February this year to announce the funding and to discuss how the project would benefit students, and today officially opened the new facility with school parents, staff and children.

The Labor Government established the Inclusive Schools Fund to help government schools build new facilities to better support the social and educational needs of children with a disability.

Last year 33 schools received funding for upgrades under the program, with applications for the second round of funding now open.

The Andrews Labor Government is building the Education State so that every Victorian student gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.

There are now 42 new government schools and hundreds of school upgrades in the construction pipeline following the Labor Government’s record $1.8 billion investment in school infrastructure.

This school building boom will create 4000 construction jobs and ensure all Victorian families have access to a great school no matter where they live.

To find out more about new schools and upgrades, including inclusive schools projects, across the state, visit the Victorian School Building Authority website at www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Colin Brooks MP

“It’s great to see what a difference the safe sanctuary garden will make to the lives of students at Kingsbury Primary School.”

“The Andrews Labor Government is building the Education State by investing in local schools like Kingsbury Primary School so our kids have the facilities they need to thrive.”

Cornerstone Solutions was recognised for outstanding international success for its photo imaging capture and delivery services that it provides to companies across the construction, agriculture, education, manufacturing and marketing industries.

Cornerstone Solutions’ impressive product and service offerings have seen the business grow its staff by more than 20 people since 2013 – enabling it to record a more than 700 per cent increase in international revenue over the past two years.

Cornerstone is a world leader in image-capture and delivery solutions with more than 1300 photoSentinel-branded time-lapse cameras operating across six continents.

Cornerstone makes the photoSentinel range of long term time-lapse equipment and supports the equipment with a subscription-based time-lapse management cloud platform service that offers camera control, status reporting and a web-accessible gallery of latest photos.

More than 50 businesses entered this year’s awards, designed to recognise the hard-work and economic contributions exporters make to Victoria, boosting the state’s business profile locally and internationally.

For the last three years running, a GOVEA winner has gone on to win the Australian Exporter of the Year award cementing Victoria’s reputation as the country’s leading exporter.
Victorian exports make a crucial contribution to the economy with total exports of goods and services in 2014-15 rising 4.8 per cent to a record $39.4 billion.
The patron of the Governor of Victoria Export Awards is the Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria.

For more information on Cornerstone Solutions head to www.cornerstonesolutions.com.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

“These awards are a great way to recognise the hard work of our exporting businesses that are raising their profile internationally while growing their business and creating more jobs here at home.”

“We’re leading the country in small business growth and exports, and these awards give us the opportunity to provide our local businesses with the recognition they deserve for taking the very best of Victoria to the world.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks

“It is fantastic to see locally-grown Cornerstone Solutions being recognised as one of the state’s top exporters.”
“Not only are our small businesses taking their products and services to the world, but they are growing their business base here at home, which mean more jobs and a bigger boost for our local economies.”

Pictured: Founder and President of Cornerstone Solutions, Andrew Harrison, received the award with fellow workers.

The $100 million scheme – which is now fully subscribed – will close on 18 July 2016, with almost 16,000 payments made to employers taking on disadvantaged jobs seekers since it was introduced in April 2015.

Since the Labor Government came to office in 2014, Victorian employment has increased by 120,000 people, with full-time employment up by 85,200 people during the same period.

The Back to Work Scheme was expanded last year to provide additional support to employers who hired disadvantaged job seekers.

It has since gathered extraordinary momentum, with accelerated hiring and training of apprentices, young unemployed, retrenched workers and the long-term unemployed.

$15 million will be set aside for dairy workers and automotive workers, who have been affected by the recent downturns in these industries. These workers will continue to benefit from the scheme.

The scheme has also contributed $6 million to the establishment of four pilot interventions in areas of socio-economic disadvantage and workers in transition in Victoria, as well as $15 million to support disadvantaged workers through Jobs Victoria.

Victoria’s youth unemployment rate (12 month average) also continues to fall, and is now 2.0 per cent lower than 12 months ago.

Victoria has seen unemployment fall to 5.8 per cent which is significantly lower than the 6.6 per cent inherited from the Coalition Government.

By 2020, 25 per cent of electricity generated in the state will come from renewable energy. By 2025, that will rise to 40 per cent.

Currently, about 14 per cent of Victoria’s electricity comes from renewable sources.

It’s anticipated that by 2025, up to 5400 megawatts of new large-scale renewable energy capacity will be built in Victoria – representing an estimated $2.5 billion of investment in the state.

That means more than 4000 additional jobs in the renewable energy sector during the expected peak year of construction in 2024, and around a 12 per cent reduction in electricity sector greenhouse emissions by 2034-35.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, has also announced an auctions scheme – running a series of technology-neutral auctions, as well as solar auctions – which will see project developers compete to be the lowest cost provider.

Successful bids will be given long-term contracts to support their projects, providing certainty for investors.

There is great potential for large-scale solar to become a mainstream source of energy across Australia over the next decade thanks to its generation and energy demand, rapid advances in technology and decreasing costs.

The Andrews Labor Government will work with the renewable energy industry, electricity networks and retailers, and consumer groups to refine the details of the scheme, with the first auction of contracts to begin next year.  Separate auctions will be held for large scale solar projects.

The targets and auction scheme form a key part of Victoria’s Renewable Energy Action Plan to be released later this year – reviving a sector which has stalled since the Federal Government cut the national Renewable Energy Target in 2015.

On 24 June I had the privilege to officially open the new cage with Local Councillor, Rick Garotti, and representatived from Public Transport Victoria and Bicycle Network.

The Parkiteer Cages allow cyclists to ride to the station and securely park their bikes before jumping on a train. This will help to reduce pressure on parking at the station by encouraging more people to ride.

If you would like to access the bike cage, you will need to sign up for an access card. Head to https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/shop/17/ for more info.

People in the north-eastern suburbs will not quickly forget the Liberals’ closure of this TAFE campus as part of its $1.2 billion cut to TAFE over its four disastrous years in office. Along with the closure of campuses, jobs were cut, fees were hiked up and courses were cut. Even specialist courses for Country Fire Authority firefighters were axed under the Liberals and The Nationals.

The Andrews Labor government has reinvested in TAFE, moving the sector’s finances out of deficit and into surplus. We are now getting campuses like Greensborough open again. After a consultation process chaired by the member for Eltham and after Melbourne Polytechnic considered the research, it has been decided that the campus will focus on three main areas: health and community services; business and entrepreneurship; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Greensborough campus will also be home to the new Banyule Tech School, which will be accessible to kids in all local schools. It will focus on technology and innovation, and importantly it will work closely with local businesses.

I wish to commend the member for Eltham for her work, along with the Minister for Training and Skills and the Minister for Education. The difference between the Labor and Liberal parties could not be more stark when it comes to education and skills. Where the Liberals cut and closed, Labor has invested and expanded. When the Liberals turned their back on the people of Greensborough and the north-east, Labor stood with the community, and it is now delivering an even better training presence.

Kingsbury Primary School received $65,000 under the Andrews Labor Government’s $20 million Inclusive Schools Fund to upgrade facilities to support students with disabilities to better participate and engage with learning at their school.

Colin Brooks visited Kingsbury Primary School earlier this year to announce the funding and discuss how the project will benefit students.

The planned upgrades include a new passive safe sanctuary garden.

The Labor Government launched the Inclusive Schools Fund in 2015 to ensure students with disabilities get the same opportunities as other students.

The Fund is one of nine initiatives in the Special Needs Plan for Victorian Schools and provides funding to improve existing facilities and help achieve best practice for inclusivity at Victorian schools.

The Andrews Labor Government is building the Education State so that every Victorian gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.

The Labor Government  delivered a record $1.1 billion investment to build, upgrade and maintain new and existing schools in the Victorian Budget 2016-17, including a $10 million boost to the Inclusive Schools Fund.

Victorian government schools can apply for funding to build more inclusive and equitable facilities under the $20 million Inclusive Schools Fund.

Last year 33 schools received funding for upgrades to build a more inclusive campus.

Applications to the second round of funding available under the Inclusive School Fund will be held later this year.

Quotes attributable to Colin Brooks MP

“The Andrews Labor Government is building the Education State by investing in local schools like Kingsbury Primary School so our kids have the facilities they need to thrive.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We are making Victorian schools more inclusive so that every student has the opportunity to succeed no matter their circumstances.”

“We delivered our Special Needs Plan commitment so that all new upgrades to Victorian government schools will create facilities that accommodate the diverse needs of all students.”

Pictured above: Colin at Kingsbury Primary School with Principal Barb Hinsley and school council representative earlier this year, announcing the $65,000 funding.

In the 2016-17 Victorian Budget, we have fully delivered on this promise.

The last budget saw the school receive $1 million to begin the necessary planning and early works. This budget has funded the remaining $9 million.

This funding is on top of the $1.1 million increase in targeted equity funding received by schools across the Bundoora electorate, making sure all students get better support.

Increasing enrolments at Greensborough College have led to extra strain on the existing facilities, which have become dated and worn out. The previous state government refused to fund this much needed rebuild, despite the demonstrated need.

The website DemandARefund.com also gives people who have been mis-sold junk insurance the option to ask for their money back. It is a free service for all Australians.

The Consumer Action Law Centre estimates that Australians are owed $70 million per year in refunds for junk insurance and warranties. Furthermore, research shows that as many as 1 in 5 people who have bought these products do no know they have them. So if you know of anyone who could be in this situation, please share this website with them.

Click here to go to DemandARefund.com

Minister for Planning, the Hon. Richard Wynne, has appointed an independent panel to hear from the community on how the zones were rolled out, what process each council followed in introducing the new zones, and how it should be improved.

The previous Liberal government rushed through major zone changes without proper consultation. This led to some very poor and short-sighted planning decisions and caused an inconsistent approach across Councils. The process was criticised by neighbourhood groups, local government and the property industry.

Submissions are now open to the public and public hearings will be held for submitters in April. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your say. Submissions close on 14th March. Submissions can be lodged online. Click here for more information and to lodge an online submission.

All contestants receive:

• 10 free passes to a participating YMCA or local Government facility
• Discounts at Sportsmart
• Free tennis court hire at Melbourne Park or Albert Reserve
• One free Get Into Cardio Tennis session
• A two-for-one ticket offer at SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium
• A chance to win tickets to the 2017 Australian Open

Participation can be as easy as walking or cycling to work, taking the dog for a walk or backyard cricket with the family. By getting involved, you’re contributing to a healthier Victoria and making some great changes to your lifestyle. For more info, go to www.activeapril.vic.gov.au.

The new cage provides 26 extra spaces for cyclists to park their bike safely and securely before jumping on the train, making it easier to leave the car at home, get some exercise and live more sustainably.

Use of Parkiteer bike cages has tripled over the last 5 years, with more than 9,000 people now registered with Parkiteer facilities across Victoria. The new cage at Greensborough will see this number grow even further.

The new cage was jointly funded by the Andrews Labor Government and Banyule Council, and is managed by Bicycle Network Victoria.

Use of the cage is free, other than a $50 fully refundable bond for the access card.

To register for a secure access card for the bike cage at Greensborough Station, or find your nearest Parkiteer facility, go to parkiteer.com.au or call 1300 546 526.

(Colin pictured above with Councillors Rick Garotti and Mark Di Pasquale)

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora, Colin Brooks

“The new bike cage at Greensborough Station will make it easier for locals to leave the car at home, jump on the bike and catch the train.”

 “Parkiteer cages are becoming more and more popular and I’m pleased that commuters at Greensborough now have one, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government and Banyule Council.”

I will not go into detail on the changes, but they are important. It was great to hear the member for Eltham speak very eloquently about some of the really important aspects of a strong and fair classification scheme. What I want to focus on is not so much the importance of that scheme, because that is a given, but the area of media content of a whole range of media — videos, images — now available to the Australian community in their homes that sit almost entirely outside of the classification scheme. I understand the intent of the changes to the scheme are to capture more of that content. That is a good thing. An Australian Law Reform Commission report, Classification — Content Regulation and Convergent Media, was the basis of these changes: The title of that report sends a very clear message that it was intended to look at how classification would work better in the era of convergent media.

It is important to recognise, and the report recognises this, that people are accessing so much content that is not classified and people do not have the benefit of the protection of information about the material that they are either about to view or that their children are viewing.

For that reason I think it is important to go back to the very principles behind the reason for a classification system. Why do we have a classification system? If you go back to the 1984 report on the national scheme for classification of publications and videos, it sets out the principles for that scheme, and I think they remain. Even though the media has changed, the principles are still a good starting point for a debate around classification and media content. Those principles were that adults are entitled to read, hear and see what they wish in public and private; that people should not be exposed to unsolicited material offensive to them; and that children must be adequately protected from material likely to harm or disturb them.

Out of those three key areas the one that probably concerns me the most in the current media and technology environment is the last one: that children must be adequately protected from material likely to harm or disturb them. We now have access to things like YouTube, which has more than 1 billion users. Statistics it provides show that the number of hours that people watch YouTube per month is up 50 per cent year on year, so there is staggering growth in the time that people are watching videos online. Three hundred hours of video are uploaded every minute on YouTube and 60 per cent of the views of a video come from outside its home country. This is again a very clear indication that there is a problem around trying to classify a lot of material when the majority of videos uploaded are viewed by people in another country. You have this global movement of media content and there is really no way any more that governments can control their classification or are able to provide information to people on each video or image. Also, half of YouTube videos are viewed on mobile devices.

That takes me to the point I raised earlier about children and protecting them from inappropriate material. Children now have access to material through mobile devices, online and in homes through wi-fi and it has become very difficult for parents to be able to safeguard their children, at a young age in particular, from inappropriate material. There is now a role not just for a classification system but for government, preferably at the national level, to take a leadership role in providing parents in particular with the information, knowledge and tools to better protect their children from inappropriate material.

That might be better information about how to apply settings to various applications; it might be about the sorts of filters that are available to help protect children from inappropriate material; or it might just be educating children and families in particular about safe ways to use the internet and different websites. The days when parents could completely control what their children were exposed to are, I fear, gone, so it is very important that tools are provided to parents and that there is a government organisation that is able to help parents with that.

The obvious body to take up that role is the Australian Communications and Media Authority. It does some of that work but I think it needs to do a lot more. It needs to pick up this issue and run with it or I fear we will have many more children exposed to inappropriate, offensive, violent and explicit material. As I said before, the member for Eltham provided some great examples of why you do not want your children exposed to some of that material.

Unfortunately the Australian Communications and Media Authority is under greater stress than ever before. As opposed to having extra resources to provide better service to the Australian community, it has experienced funding cuts, like a lot of government agencies, by the federal Liberal government over the last few years — $3.3 million over four years has been cut from the authority. It is also losing over 30 staff so it is very difficult for it to do the sort of work we would want it to do — providing people with better information about how to protect their children from the sort of material that can be found online.

As I said, this bill makes some great changes to the classification system. It is a worthy system and one that it is good to see all members of this house support, but there is a huge area that is left unclassified — a huge part of media consumption in people’s homes in particular is left completely unclassified. I think it is important that people are made aware of how to better protect their children from some of the material they do not want them to see, so I commend this bill to the house.

Over the past 55 years, inductees have all made positive changes to their communities, which will hopefully inspire women from all walks of life to excel in their chosen field of expertise, while also fully and equally participating in the social fabric of our society. Collectively, their successes have shaped communities across Victoria, and have been recognised on a local, national and international level.

It is important that we publicly recognise, pay tribute and celebrate the commitment, energy, passion and contributions of exceptional women who act as inspiring role models and motivate women across all generations and from all walks of life.

Nominations now Open

If you know an inspirational woman who you think deserves recognition for her contribution, leadership and achievements, please nominate her today.

Nominations are open until 5pm Friday 21 August 2015.

Anyone is able to nominate. However, the nominator must be familiar with the nominee’s work and be able to discuss her achievements in detail. To make a nomination, head to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2016 e-award website.

13 76 78
www.auspost.com.au

Bundoora LPO
Bundoora Square Shopping Centre, Shop 4 39e Plenty Road,
Bundoora VIC 3083
(03)9467 8353

Janefield Drive LPO
University Hill Shopping Centre, Shop T22 5 Janefield Drive,
Bundoora VIC 3083
(03)9467 9641

Latrobe University LPO
5 The Agora,
Bundoora VIC 3083
13 13 18

Watsonia LPO
49 Watsonia Road,
Watsonia VIC 3087
(03)9435 1104

Kingsbury LPO
5 Link Street,
Kingsbury VIC 3083
(03)9469 2488

Lalor Plaza LPO
Lalor Plaza Shopping Centre, Shop 17 22 McKimmies Road,
Lalor VIC 3075
(03)9466 1527

Macleod West LPO
88 Aberdeen Road,
Macleod VIC 3085
(03)9459 9782

Reservoir East LPO
Summerhill Village, Shop T11 856 Plenty Road,
Reservoir VIC 3073
(03)9471 1080

ADDRESS:

The Lower Plenty Senior Citizens’ Hall 86-88 Main Rd Lower Plenty VIC 3093

PHONE:

0419 763 837

WEBSITE:

http://banyulecalisthenicsclub.com.au/

Banyule City Soccer Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 129 Watsonia

PHONE:

0417 384100

WEBSITE:

http://www.banyulecitysc.org.au/

Banyule Nets Stadium

ADDRESS:

Banyule Netball Stadium, 2 Somers Avenue, Macleod 3085

PHONE:

9455 8888

WEBSITE:

http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Sport-and-Recreation/Leisure-Centres/Banyule-Netball-Stadium-NETS

Bundoora Bowling Club

ADDRESS:

Yulong Reserve, Cameron Parade, Bundoora 3083

PHONE:

03 9467 5747

WEBSITE:

http://www.bundoorarsl.com.au/bundoora/

Bundoora Callisthenics Club

ADDRESS:

Bundoora Hall, Noorong Ave, Bundoora Vic 3083

PO Box 1152 Bundoora Vic 3083

PHONE:

0448 020 554

WEBSITE:

http://www.mycala.com/bundoora/

Bundoora Cricket Club

ADDRESS:

Cnr Plenty Rd and Bent St Bundoora 3083 Victoria Australia

PO Box 1233 Bundoora 3083

PHONE:

0414 953 223

WEBSITE:

http://bundoora.vic.cricket.com.au/

Bundoora Football Club

ADDRESS:

1001 Plenty Road, Bundoora

PHONE:

0438 801 928

WEBSITE:

http://www.bundoorabulls.com.au/

Bundoora Junior Football Club

ADDRESS:

1069 Plenty Road, Bundoora VIC 3083

PHONE:

(03) 8470 8170

WEBSITE:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-3817-57858-0-0

Bundoora Park Cricket Club

ADDRESS:

Snake Gully Drive, Bundoora,  VIC 3083,

PO Box 375 Bundoora MDC Bundoora 3088

PHONE:

0438 700 152

WEBSITE:

http://bundoorapark.vic.cricket.com.au/

Bundoora Park Thunderbolts Junior Football Club

ADDRESS:

Snake Gully Drive, Bundoora, Mount Cooper Estate. VIC

Melway Refrence Map 19 G1 and G2

PHONE:

0425 857 231

WEBSITE:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-3913-110464-0-0

Bundoora Park Ladies Golf Club

PHONE:

9469 3880

WEBSITE:

http://www.bundoorapark.com.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=54&h=1

Bundoora Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

Telfer Reserve, Off Greenwood Drive, Bundoora 3083

P.O. Box 327, Bundoora 3083

PHONE:

9467 6769

WEBSITE:

http://www.bundooratennisclub.com.au/

Bundoora United Cricket Club

ADDRESS:

Loyola Reserve, Gleeson Drive Bundoora, VIC, 3083

PO Box 291, Bundoora, VIC, 3083

PHONE:

0431 419 882

WEBSITE:

http://bundooraunited.vic.cricket.com.au/

Diamond Valley Amateur Basketball Association

ADDRESS:

P.O. Box 10, Briar Hill, Victoria 3088

PHONE:

0417 320 842

WEBSITE:

http://www.greenhillsbasketball.com.au/

Diamond Valley Athletics Club

ADDRESS:

Willinda Park, Greensborough, Melway 21 A4

PO Box 311, Greensborough, VIC, 3088

WEBSITE:

http://www.valleyaths.org/

Diamond Valley Basketball Association

ADDRESS:

44 Civic Dr, Greensborough VIC 3088

PO Box 28, Greensborough 3088

PHONE:

9432 4720

WEBSITE:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3441-0-0-0

Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre

ADDRESS:

Willinda Park, 1 Beatrix St, Greensborough, Victoria, Australia.

Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre, PO Box 92, Eltham, Victoria, 3095

PHONE:

0432 201 115

WEBSITE:

http://dvlac.com.au/

Diamond Valley Square Dancing Club

ADDRESS:

Masonic Hall, 23 Ester Street, Greensborough, VIC 3088

PHONE:

03 9435 5505

WEBSITE:

http://squaredance.org.au/Associations/State-Societies/Victoria/Clubs/Diamond-Valley-Squares-Greensborough-VIC

Diamond Valley Table Tennis Association

ADDRESS:

Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, Civic Drive, Greensborough 3088, Ph 9435 8444.

PHONE:

0423 870 724

WEBSITE:

http://www.dvtta.org.au/

Diamond Valley United Soccer Club

ADDRESS:

Kalparrin Ave, Greensborough VIC 3088

PHONE: (Refer to contact page for contact details)

http://diamondvalleyunited.com.au/contact/

WEBSITE:

http://diamondvalleyunited.com.au/

Diamond Valley Veteran Badminton Association

ADDRESS:

P.O. Box 447, Greensborough, 3088

PHONE:

0402 210 944

WEBSITE:

http://dvbaweb.wix.com/dvbaweb

Grace Valley Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

63-67 Plenty Lane, PO Box 526, Greensborough, 3088

PHONE:

(03) 9434 6583

WEBSITE:

http://www.tennis.com.au/gracevalleytcinc/

Greensborough & District Angling Club

ADDRESS:

161 Para Road Greensborough 3088

P.O. Box 7 Greensborough 3088

PHONE:

0419 572 278

WEBSITE:

http://www.gdac.com.au/

Greensborough Baseball Club

ADDRESS:

Elder Street Reserve, Manfred Street, Watsonia,  VIC  3088

P.O Box 172, St Andrews. VIC 3761

PHONE:

03 9434 6139

WEBSITE:

http://www.greensborough.baseball.com.au/

Greensborough Bowling Club

ADDRESS:

18 Liat Way, Greensborough, VIC 3088

PHONE:

(03) 9432 8111

WEBSITE:

http://www.greensboroughbowls.com.au/

Greensborough Cricket Club

ADDRESS:

War Memorial Park, Greensborough, VIC 3088
PO Box 272 Greensborough 3088

PHONE:

WEBSITE:

http://greensborough.vic.cricket.com.au/

Greensborough Football Club

ADDRESS:

War Memorial Park, crn McDowell & Ester St, — Greensborough, VIC 3008

PO Box 272 Greensborough 3088

PHONE:

(03) 9345 7327

WEBSITE:

http://www.greensboroughfc.com.au/

Greensborough Hockey Club

ADDRESS:

Plenty Park, Memorial Drive Plenty VIC 3090

PHONE:

0409 408 629

WEBSITE:

http://greensboroughhockeyclub.com.au/

Greensborough Junior Football Club

ADDRESS:

Anthony Beale Reserve, Saint Helena Road, Greensborough

PO Box 342, Greensborough  3088

PHONE:

0421 543 343

WEBSITE:

http://www.gjfc.org.au/

Greensborough Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

Diamond Creek Rd, Greensborough, VIC 3088

PHONE:

(03) 9434 4917

Kingsbury Bowls Club

ADDRESS:

Arch Gibson Reserve, Dunne Street, Kingsbury.  3083.

PHONE:

9462 2803

WEBSITE:

http://www.kingsburybowlsclub.com.au/

LaTrobe University Hockey Club

ADDRESS:

867 Plenty Rd, Kingsbury VIC 3083

PHONE:

0427 184 188

WEBSITE:

http://www.latrobeunihockey.com/

Mill Park Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 13
Mill Park, 3082

PHONE:

(03) 9436 9097

WEBSITE:

http://www.millparktennisclub.com.au/

Norris Bank Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

McLeans Rd, Bundoora VIC 3083

PHONE:

(03) 9467 7578

WEBSITE:

http://www.norrisbanktennisclub.com/

Northern Football League

ADDRESS:

11/10-14 Simms Rd, Greensborough VIC 3088

PHONE:

9435 8228

WEBSITE:

http://www.nfl.org.au/

Plenty Valley Cricket Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 15, Yarrambat, 3091

PHONE:

0414 943 000

WEBSITE:

http://www.pvcc.vic.cricket.com.au/

Old Paradians Association Amateur Football Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 2160 University Hill Bundoora VIC 3083

PHONE:

0401 701 146

WEBSITE:

http://oldparadiansafc.wix.com/oldparadians

Rebels Football Club

ADDRESS:

PHONE:

WEBSITE:

EDITOR Note: The only links I can find are for the Queensland team. For obvious reason this is outside our electorate

Riverside Cricket Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 479 Greensborough, Vic, 3088

PHONE:

9435 5971

WEBSITE:

http://www.riversidecricketclub.com.au/

St Mary’s Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 176 Greensborough VIC 3088

PHONE:

0478 297 719

WEBSITE:

http://www.tennis.com.au/smtc/

St Mary’s Greensborough Junior Football Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 400 Greensborough Victoria 3088

PHONE:

0421 058 198

WEBSITE:

http://www.stmarysgjfc.com.au/

St. Damians Junior Football Club

ADDRESS:

Binnak Paark, Anderson Parade, Bundoora Vic

PHONE:

(m) 0401 701 146

WEBSITE:

http://paradestdamiansjfc.com.au/

Strathallan Golf Club

ADDRESS:

BOX 5047, Heidelberg West, VIC 3081

PHONE:

(03) 9457 4734

WEBSITE:

http://www.strathallangolf.com.au/

Watsonia Baseball Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 165 Bundoora VIC 3083

Watsonia Football Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 51 Watsonia VIC 3087

PHONE:

0418 511 693

WEBSITE:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-3913-48194-0-0

Watsonia Heights Soccer Club

ADDRESS:

PO Box 148, Watsonia 3087, Victoria

PHONE:

9432 4125 (Game Days Only)

WEBSITE:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-8746-124294-0-0

Watsonia Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

6 Elder Street, Watsonia  3087

PHONE:

(03) 9432 3132

WEBSITE:

http://watsoniatc.com.au/

Yallambie Tennis Club

ADDRESS:

Moola Cl, Yallambie Victoria 3085

PHONE:

(03) 9435 1691

WEBSITE:

http://www.tennis.com.au/yallambietc/

Yarra Plenty Swim Club

ADDRESS:

Liat Way, Greensborough, Victoria 3088

PHONE:

(03) 9434 4516

WEBSITE:

http://www.yarraplenty.swimming.org.au/

Diamond Valley Library

Civic Drive
Greensborough Victoria 3088
Phone: (03) 9434 3809

Eltham Library

Panther Place
Eltham Victoria 3095
Phone: (03) 9439 9266

Ivanhoe Library

255 Upper Heidelberg Road
Ivanhoe Victoria 3079
Phone: (03) 9497 5780

Lalor Library

2A May Road
Lalor Victoria 3075
Phone: (03) 9465 2353

Mill Park Library

394 Plenty Road
Mill Park Victoria 3082
Phone: (03) 9437 8189

Rosanna Library

72 Turnham Avenue
Rosanna Victoria 3084
Phone: (03) 9459 6171

Thomastown Library

52 Main Street
Thomastown Victoria 3074
Phone: (03) 9464 1864

Watsonia Library

4-6 Ibbottson Street
Watsonia Victoria
Phone: (03) 9435 2397

Whittlesea Library

57-61 Laurel Street
Whittlesea Victoria 3757
Phone: (03) 9716 3028

Community Halls

Bundoora Community Hall

20 Noorong Avenue, Bundoora, VIC 3083
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Bundoora-Community-Hall

Bellfield Community Hall

Cnr Oriel Road and Banksia Street, Bellfield, VIC 3081
9499 6081
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Bellfield-Community-Hall

Briar Hill Community Hall

126 Mountain View Road, Briar Hill, VIC 3088
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Briar-Hill-Community-Hall

Clyde Street Community Hall

64 Clyde St, Thornbury
8470 8110
community.facilities@darebin.vic.gov.au
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Discover-Darebin/Spaces-and-places/Venues

Donald Street Community Hall

Donald Street, Preston
8470 8110
community.facilities@darebin.vic.gov.au
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Discover-Darebin/Spaces-and-places/Venues

Epping Memorial Hall

827 High Street, Epping
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/epping-halls-for-hire

Fairfield Community Room

Station St, Fairfield
8470 8110
community.facilities@darebin.vic.gov.au
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Discover-Darebin/Spaces-and-places/Venues

French Street Hall

47A French Street, Lalor
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/lalor-halls-for-hire

Grace Park Community Hall

135 Henry Street, Greensborough, VIC 3088
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Grace-Park-and-Grace-Park-Community-Hall

Greensborough Senior Citizens

203 Henry Street, Greensborough, VIC 3088
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Greensborough-Senior-Citizens

Hawdon Street Community Hall

80 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg, VIC 3081
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Greensborough-Senior-Citizens

Ivanhoe Senior Citizens Hall

14 Ivanhoe Parade, Ivanhoe, VIC 3079
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Ivanhoe-Senior-Citizens-Hall

Lalor Library Conference Room

2A May Road, Lalor
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/lalor-halls-for-hire

Macleod Community Hall, Macleod

7 Birdwood Avenue, Macleod, VIC 3085
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Macleod-Community-Hall

May Road Senior Citizens Centre

2B May Road, Lalor
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/lalor-halls-for-hire

Mernda Community Centre

2 Heals Road, Mernda
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/mernda-halls-for-hire

Mill Park Community Centre

Cnr Blamey Avenue and Mill Park Drive, Mill Park
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/mill-park-halls-for-hire

Mill Park Lakes Meeting Space

Shop 9/1 The Promenade, South Morang
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/south-morang-halls-for-hire

Mill Park Leisure

33 Morang Drive, Mill Park
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/mill-park-halls-for-hire

Nick Ascenzo Community Centre

2 Boronia Avenue, Thomastown
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/thomastown-halls-for-hire

Old Shire Offices

60 Beverley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3081
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Old-Shire-Offices

Petrie Park and Community Hall

16 Mountain View Road, Montmorency, VIC 3094
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Petrie-Park-and-Community-Hall

Preston City Hall

284 Gower St, Preston
(03) 8470 8649
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Discover-Darebin/Spaces-and-places/Venues

Preston Shire Hall

286 Gower St, Preston
(03) 8470 8649
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Discover-Darebin/Spaces-and-places/Venues

Spring Street Hall

1 Spring Street, Thomastown
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/thomastown-halls-for-hire

Watsonia Community Hall

35 Lambourn Road, Watsonia, VIC 3087
9490 4302
hallsandbuses@banyule.vic.gov.au
www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Services/Parks-and-Facilities/Watsonia-Community-Hall

Wollert Community Centre

525 Epping Road, Wollert
9404 8843
hallbookings@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/community-facilities-and-halls/halls-and-venues-for-hire/wollert-halls-for-hire

Metropolitan train, tram and bus
1800 800 007
www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Public Transport Ombudsman

1800 466 865
www.ptovic.com.au

Train lines

Metro
Contact Metro: 1800 800 007
Website: Metro

Greensborough Railway Station

Poulter Ave

Hurstbridge Line

Macleod Railway Station

Birdwood Ave

Macleod 3085

Hurstbridge Line

Watsonia Railway Station

Greensborough Rd

Watsonia 3087

Hurstbridge Line

Bus Lines

Routes – Bundoora

Bundoora RMIT – Mill Park Lakes – Palisades

573 – Bundoora RMIT – Mill Park Lakes – Palisades via South Morang Station

Bundoora – South Morang

564 – Bundoora RMIT – South Morang

Thomastown – Bundoora

570 – Thomastown – RMIT Bundoora via Betula Ave Plenty Rd

Kew  – Bundoora

548 – Kew (Cotham Road) – La Trobe University Bundoora

Routes – Greensborough

Greensborough – St Helena West

518 – Greensborough – St Helena West via St Helena

Dysons
Contact Dysons: 9463 3999
Website: Dysons

Box Hill – Greensborough

293 – Box Hill – Greensborough via Doncaster SC

Transdev
Contact Transdev: 9488 2100
Website: Transdev

Eltham – Greensborough

513 – Eltham – Glenroy via Greensborough or Lower Plenty

Dysons
Contact Dysons: 9463 3999
Website: Dysons

Doreen – Greensborough

520 – Doreen to Greensborough

Dysons
Contact Dysons: 9463 3999
Website: Dysons

Northland – St. Helena

517 – Northland – St Helena via Viewbank, Greensborough

Routes – Macleod

Coburg – Macleod

561 – Coburg – Macleod via La Trobe University

Dysons
Contact Dysons: 9463 3999
Website: Dysons

Smart Bus Service

Chealsea – Airport West

902 – Chelsea – Airport West (SMARTBUS Service)

Transdev
Contact Transdev: 9488 2100
Website: Transdev

Tram Lines

Routes

Bundoora – Docklands

86 – Bundoora RMIT – Waterfront City Docklands

 Stop Search

Heading for a certain place? Need to travel out of your local area? just click the applicable link.

Bundoora

Greensborough

Kingsbury

Macleod

Millpark

Watsonia

Yallambie

Neighbourhood Watch

Phone: 03 9247 5492
Web: www.nhw.com.au

Crime Stoppers

Phone: 1800 333 000
Web: www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

National Security Hotline

Phone: 1800 123 400
Web: www.nationalsecurity.gov.au

Victoria Police

Web: www.police.vic.gov.au

Legal Help

Darebin Community Legal Centre

732 Cnr High Street & Mansfield Street
Thornbury VIC 3071
Phone: (03) 9484 7753
Web: www.communitylaw.org.au/clc_darebin

West Heidelberg Community Legal Service

21 Alamein Road
West Heidelberg VIC 3081
Phone: (03) 9450 2000
Fax: (03)  9459 5808
Web: www.bchs.org.au/Services/west-heidelberg-community-legal-service

Whittlesea Community Legal Service

Community Information Whittlesea
Shop 111, Epping Plaza
Corner Cooper & High Streets
Epping VIC 3076
Phone: (03) 9401 6655
Fax: (03) 9401 6677
Web: www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au/community-legal-services
Drop in: Monday – 6.30pm to 8.30pm (Ring beforehand)

Victorian Legal Aid

570 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 1300 792 387
Web: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Postal address:
GPO Box 4380
Melbourne VIC 3001

Broadmeadows Office

Level 1, Building 1
Broadmeadows Station Centre
1100 Pascoe Vale Road
Broadmeadows VIC 3047
Phone: (03) 9302 8777

Police Stations

Epping Police Station

785 High Street
Epping VIC 3076
Phone: (03) 9409 8100

Greensborough Police Station

167-169 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Phone: (03) 8432 0200

Mill Park Police Station

151 Centenary Drive
Mill Park VIC 3082
Phone: (03) 9407 3333

Hospitals

Austin Hospital

145 Studley Road
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Phone: (03) 9496 5000
Fax: (03) 9458 4779

Northern Hospital

185 Cooper Street
Epping Victoria 3076
Phone: (03) 8405 8000
Fax: (03) 8405 8524

Maternal and Child Health

Banyule

20 Noorong Ave
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 1691

19 Crellin Crescent
Watsonia VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9435 3481

Ged Kearney MP

159 High Street
Preston VIC 3072
Phone: (03) 9416 8690
Email: ged.kearney.mp@aph.gov.au
Web: www.gedkearney.org.au

Canberra office:
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 4152
Fax: (02) 6277 8559

Federal Member for Jagajaga

Jenny Macklin MP

149 Burgundy Street
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Phone: (03) 9459 1411
Fax: (03) 9457 5721
Email: jmacklin.mp@aph.gov.au
Web: www.jennymacklin.net.au

Canberra office:
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 4305
Fax: (02) 6277 8595

Federal Member for Scullin

Andrew Giles MP

Shop 23-25, 314-360 Childs Road
Mill Park VIC 3082
Phone: (03) 9404 1911
Fax: (03) 9404 1725
Email: andrew.giles.mp@aph.gov.au
Web: www.andrewgiles.com.au

Canberra office:
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 4044
Fax: (02) 6277 8417

Bundoora Preschool

20 Noorong Avenue
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 5343
Web: www.bundoorapreschool.com.au
Email: president@bundoorapreschool.com.au

Edward Street Preschool

1A Edward Street
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 3329
Web: www.edwardstpreschool.kindergarten.vic.gov.au
Email: edward.st.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Delta Road Preschool

15 Delta Road
Watsonia VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9434 1113
Fax: (03) 9435 4594
Web: www.ecms.org.au/delta-road-preschool
Email: deltaroad@ecms.org.au

Grace Park Preschool

179 Nepean Street
Greensborough VIc 3088
Phone: (03) 9435 6179
Fax: (03) 9435 3082
Web: www.trycs.org.au/kindergartenlist/grace-park-preschool Email: gracepark@try.org.au

Greensborough Preschool

17-19 Ester Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Phone: (03) 9434 4645
Web: www.greensboroughpreschool.vic.edu.au
Email: info@greensboroughpreschool.vic.edu.au

Joyce Avenue Children’s Centre

1 Joyce Avenue
Greensborough VIC 3088
Phone: (03) 9434 6098

Maryborough Avenue Kindergarten

14 Maryborough Avenue
Kingsbury VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9460 5882
Fax: (03) 9462 5862
Email: maryborough.ave.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

McLeans Road Kindergarten

151 McLeans Road
Bundoora, Vic, 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 5993
Web: www.mcleansroadkinder.vic.edu.au
Email:  mcleans.rd.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Warrawee Park Preschool

10 The Rameo
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 4446
Web: www.warraweeparkpreschool.com.au
Email: warraweepark@try.org.au

Watsonia Preschool

19 Crellin Crescent
Watsonia VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9434 4767
Web: www.watsoniapreschool.com.au
Email: watsonia.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Watsonia North Preschool

68 Macorna St reet
Watsonia North VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9434 1998
Fax: (03) 9434 1998
Web: www.watsonianorthpreschool.com
Email: watsonia.north.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Primary Schools

Bundoora Primary School

23 Balmoral Avenue
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 2601
Fax: (03) 9467 5389
Web: www.bundooraps.vic.edu.au
Email: bundoora.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Greensborough Primary School

130 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
(Entrance via Horonda Street)
Phone: (03) 9435 1496
Fax: (03) 9435 0598
Web: www.greensborough.vic.edu.au
Email: greensborough.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Kingsbury Primary School

1A Maryborough Avenue
Kingsbury VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9462 2711
Fax: (03) 9469 4054
Web: www.kingsburyps.vic.edu.au
Email: kingsbury.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Mill Park Primary School

Blamey Avenue
Mill Park VIC 3082
Phone: (03) 9404 3337
Fax: (03) 9404 2757
Web: www.millparkps.vic.edu.au
Email: mill.park.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Norris Bank Primary School

146 Settlement Road
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 2206
Fax: (03) 9467 8278
Web: www.norrisbkps.vic.edu.au
Email: norris.bank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Our Lady of the Way

11-13 Green Avenue
Kingsbury VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9460 6684
Fax: (03) 9460 7831
Web: www.olwkingsbury.catholic.edu.au
Email: principal@olwkingsbury.catholic.edu.au

St. Damians Primary School

5 Settlement Road
Bundoora Vic 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 8566
Fax: (03) 9467 7495
Web: www.sdbundoora.catholic.edu.au
Email: info@sdbundoora.catholic.edu.au

St. Mary’s Primary School

210 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough Vic 3088
Phone: (03) 9433 4000
Fax: (03) 9432 2216
Web: www.smgreensborough.catholic.edu.au
Email: principal@smgreensborough.catholic.edu.au

Streeton Primary School

234 Yallambie Road
Yallambie VIC 3085
Phone: (03) 9435 6070
Fax: (03) 9432 0525
Web: www.streetonps.vic.edu.au
Email: streetonps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Watsonia Primary School

240 Nell Street
Watsonia VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9435 2917
Fax: (03) 9434 7292
Web: www.watsoniaps.vic.edu.au
Email: watsonia.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Watsonia Heights Primary School

61 Henry Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Phone: (03) 9435 4617
Fax: (03) 9435 0227
Web: www.watsoniaheightsps.vic.edu.au
Email: watsonia.heights.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Watsonia North Primary School

16 Sharpes Road
Watsonia North VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9435 1285
Fax: (03) 9435 4948
Web: www.wats-north.vic.edu.au
Email: watsonia.north.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Secondary Schools

Bundoora Secondary College

53 Balmoral Avenue
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 1511
Fax: (03) 9467 7370
Web: www.bundoorasc.vic.edu.au
Email: bundoora.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au

Greensborough Secondary College

Nell Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Phone:  (03) 9433 2666
Fax: (03) 9433 2629
Web: www.greensc.vic.edu.au
Email: Greensborough.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au

Parade College

1436 Plenty Road
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9468 3300
Fax: (03) 9467 3937
Email: info@parade.vic.edu.au
Web: www.parade.vic.edu.au

Loyola College

325 Grimshaw Street
Watsonia VIC 3087
Phone: (03) 9434 4466
Fax: (03) 9432 2476
Email: office@loyola.vic.edu.au
Web: www.loyola.vic.edu.au

Northside Christian College

31 McLeans Road
Bundoora VIC 3083
Phone: (03) 9467 2499
Fax: (03) 9467 4899
Email: enrol@ncc.vic.edu.au
Web: www.ncc.vic.edu.au

1 Flintoff Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Phone: (03) 9490 4222
Fax: (03) 9499 9475
Email:  enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au
Web: www.banyule.vic.gov.au

Mailing Address:
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 94
Greensborough VIC 3088

Darebin City Council

274 Gower Street
Preston VIC 3072
Phone: (03) 8470 8888
Fax: (03) 8470 8877
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au
Web: www.darebin.vic.gov.au

Mailing Address:
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 91
Preston VIC 3072

Whittlesea City Council

25 Ferres Boulevard
South Morang VIC 3752
Phone: (03) 9217 2170
Fax: (03) 9217 2111
Email: info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
Web: www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Mailing Address:
Chief Executive Officer
Locked Bag 1
Bundoora MDC VIC 3083

Web: www.aec.gov.au
Check your enrolment: https://check.aec.gov.au/
Change your address online: www.aec.gov.au/enrol/change-address

Batman Divisional Office

621 High Street
Thornbury VIC 3071

Telephone: 13 23 26
Fax: (03) 9871 5083

Postal Address:
PO Box 171
Northcote VIC 3070

Jagajaga Divisional Office

65 Burgundy St
Heidelberg VIC 3084

Telephone: 13 23 26
Fax: (02) 6215 9937

Postal Address:
PO Box 146
Heidelberg VIC 3084

Scullin Divisional Office

Suite 1, 2 Enterprise Drive
Bundoora VIC 3083

Telephone: 13 23 26
Fax: (02) 6293 7647

Postal Address:
PO Box 2085
Bundoora VIC 3083

Centrelink

16/20 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Telephone: 13 24 68

Web: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/

Call Centrelink:

Complaints and Suggestions: 1800 132 468
Disability, Sickness and Carers: 13 27 17
Employment Services: 13 28 50
Family Assistance: 13 61 50
Financial Information Service: 13 23 00
International Services: 13 16 73
Multilingual Call: 13 12 02
Report Employment Income: 13 32 76
Retirement Services: 13 23 00
Youth and Student Services: 13 24 90

Commonwealth Ombudsman

Phone: 1300 362 072
Fax: (02) 6276 0123
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au
Web: www.ombudsman.gov.au
Postal Address:
GPO Box 442
Canberra ACT 2601

Immigration and Australian Citizenship

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Melbourne

Ground Floor, Casselden Place, 2 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Dandenong

Level 5, 76 Thomas St
Dandenong 3175

Immigration: 13 18 81
Australian Citizenship: 13 18 80
Translation and Interpreting Service: 131 450
Web: www.immi.gov.au

Medicare

Phone: 13 20 11
Email: medicare@humanservices.gov.au
Web: www.humanservices.gov.au

Medicare Greensborough
16/20 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough VIC 3088
Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Telephone: 13 24 68

Taxation

Australian Taxation Office

Personal tax: 13 28 61
Business tax: 13 28 66
Web: www.ato.gov.au

Taxation Office – Melbourne

Australian Taxation Office
Collins Square
747 Collins Street
Docklands VIC 3008

Local Federal MPs

Federal Government Contacts

Local Councils

Health Services

Community Safety

Schools and Kinders

• Make enquiries and help you deal with government departments and agencies.
• Assist you to make contact services or organisations that can provide support.
• Discuss and support local projects.
• Advise you of your rights.
• Organise congratulatory messages for important milestones.

If we can’t help you, at the very least we should be able to put you in touch with someone who can. Call or drop in to my office:

Suite 1, 1320 Plenty Road
Bundoora VIC 3083

You can also email me on colin.brooks@parliament.vic.gov.au

Congratulatory messages

Congratulatory messages are available through the Department of Premier and Cabinet for people celebrating their 90th and 100th birthdays and golden (50 years) and diamond (60 years) wedding. Please contact our office to obtain a Congratulatory Message Form, then return it to my office with a copy of the birth or marriage certificate. If either of these certificates are unavailable, a statutory declaration will be required.

The Protocol and Special Events Branch (PSE) is responsible for arranging messages from the Premier. Notification is also given to the following:

• The Prime Minister: 90th or 100th birthdays, golden and diamond anniversaries
• The Governor of Victoria: 100th birthdays, golden and diamond anniversaries
• The Governor General (which includes notification to the Queen): 100th birthdays and diamond anniversaries
• Australia Day Council (Victoria) Inc.: 100th birthdays

Information Booklets

I can also provide you and your family with information about State Government services. Please contact the electorate office to obtain a copy of these information booklets which include:

Families Information Booklet

Seniors information

Consumer and legal rights

Victorian concessions

Launching discussion papers at the State Library today, alongside Minister for Education, James Merlino, the Premier said that our economy is changing, and our education system needs to change with it.

A two-month consultation will seek the views of students, parents, carers, teachers, principals, school council members, businesses and community groups.

The consultation will also test the development of specific targets for the improvement of our education system.

The 2015-16 Victorian Budget laid the foundations for the Education State, with $3.9 billion to help repair the damage left by the previous Liberal Government.

But we need to do more. While Victoria has a good education system, our challenges include:

• Too many young children not developing fast enough for school
• Student achievement that’s stalling in some areas
• 10,000 young Victorians dropping out of school in years 9 to 11 every year
• A further 6,000 leaving school to get training, only to give up within a year
• People missing out on training, with TAFE enrolments dropping

The dedication of our teachers, principals, parents, carers and students makes our education system strong. But with the accelerating pace of change in our economy, we need to think differently.

For more information on the Education State or to find details on upcoming consultations across Victoria visit educationstate.education.vic.gov.au.

2015 Education State Consultation Paper
2015 Education State Consultation Summary

I commend all of the nominees for their selfless service to our local community. These wonderful people never seek any recognition for themselves. However, it is very important that we highlight their significant contributions. Well done.

“Today’s budget shows that the Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its election commitments” Mr Brooks said.

“Four years ago, the community of Greensborough College were devastated to hear that the previous government had canned Labor’s plans to rebuild the school. Despite a hard fought campaign by the local community, and the pressing need the Liberals still refused to commit funds to a rebuild.

“That’s why I was so excited to announce last year that if Labor was elected, it would commit $10 million towards rebuilding Greensborough College” he said.

Mr Brooks said that the Treasurer had made it clear that the remaining $9 million would be funded after the planning work had been completed.

“Greensborough College is a great local school, with a vibrant community of staff, children and parents” Mr Brooks said.

“In recent times the school’s enrolments have experienced a dramatic increase, with many students now coming from growth areas of Doreen, Mernda and South Morang, which has placed increased strain on the already ageing infrastructure of the school” he said.

The Labor Government’s 2015-16 Victorian Budget is the biggest education budget in history, investing $3.3 billion across schools and TAFEs. Of this, $325 million has been allocated to rebuild, renovate or refurbish 67 rundown or overcrowded schools across the state.

The huge funding injection provided in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget will allow the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority to complete the reference design, undertake the statutory planning process and get this public transport mega-project started.

The funding also provides for land acquisition, preparation of Expression of Interest and Request for Tender documents, and significant early works such as tram rerouting and service relocations, ahead of contract award and major construction of the tunnels.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, made the announcement today at the project’s first geotechnical testing site since the project was abandoned by the previous Liberal government.

Geotechnical investigations are a key part of planning and designing the project, providing critical data about ground conditions and soil quality. The information gathered will inform the precise alignment, depth and design of the new rail tunnels and underground stations.

Over the coming months 140 boreholes will be drilled between South Kensington and South Yarra. This testing builds on previous geotechnical work undertaken for Melbourne Metro Rail, and will be complemented by site surveying, underground service identification and other preparatory works.

The Melbourne Metro Rail Project will transform our rail network into an international style metro system, like London or New York. It will increase the capacity, reliability and efficiency of Melbourne’s busiest train lines, allowing 20,000 more passengers to use the train system in peak hour.

Click here for a short video on how the Melbourne Metro Rail Project will transform Melbourne’s public transport system.

Announced on the first day of World Immunisation Week, the Parents’ Whooping Cough Vaccination Program will be available to all pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation and their partners.

In addition, all parents and guardians of newborn babies under six months of age and who are born after June 1 2015 will be eligible.

The Labor Government is concerned about the significant increase in cases of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough.

In 2014, notifications of cases increased by 57.7 per cent – up from 2,926 in 2013 to 4,615 in 2014. In particular, there was an increase in case notifications among children less than one year old – 115 in 2014, compared to 74 in 2013.

As of 20 April this year, the number of notifications of whooping cough cases across all ages was 1,776 compared with 917 at the same time last year.

Under the free program, women will be eligible during every pregnancy and all other parents will be eligible if they have not received a whooping cough vaccine booster dose in the past 10 years.

The eligibility criteria is based on international evidence which shows that the whooping cough vaccine is safe and effective when administered to pregnant women in the third trimester.

The vaccine will be available from immunisation providers such as GPs, maternity hospitals, obstetricians and local councils.

The Government will invest $8.4 million over four years in the program.

Unlike the Liberals, who ripped more than $1 billion out of Victoria’s health system, the Labor Government is committed to ensuring Victoria’s youngest are as healthy as possible.

For more information including key immunisation dates, visit www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation. For more information on Whooping cough, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

Under the former government public sector aged-care facilities were being shut down. Facilities in Ballarat, Castlemaine, Flemington, Kyneton, Kororoit, Melbourne, Melton South and Williamstown were closed. Rosebud Residential Aged Care Services was sold off. A total of 410 public sector aged-care beds were closed under the last government, and more closures were on the way. On the hit list were facilities such as the Merv Irvine and Ian Brand nursing homes, both situated in my electorate.

As I have said in this chamber before, the Merv Irvine Nursing Home plays a specialist role in caring for residents who have psychogeriatric conditions, such as people with severe dementia. Families and loved ones of those in the care of these nursing homes contacted me, extremely troubled about the possibility of these facilities being sold off. They decided to take on the government and became vocal in the campaign to halt the process of privatisation.

I would like to pay tribute to these people and in particular to Jenny Mikakos, a member for Northern Metropolitan Region in the other place, for their vital work in exposing the previous government’s plans. I was delighted to meet again with these people in the past few days to pass on the good news that the Andrews Labor government has officially abandoned the former government’s plans to sell off these facilities. The news was met with a real sense of relief by these people, who rely on these services.

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“This is the first step in honouring Labor’s election commitment to launch the first Royal Commission into family violence in Australia. It’s about shining the light onto this problem and finding solutions” Mr Brooks said.

“Family violence is a growing problem and the consequences are dire. Each week in Australia, a woman is killed by her current or former partner” he said.

“In 2013-14 alone, there were 65,393 family incidents reported to Victoria Police, a rise of 83 per cent since 2009-10. This amounts to a third of all police work, costing our economy over $3 billion every year Mr Brooks said.

The Premier announced that Justice Marcia Neave will chair the Royal Commission, with Patricia Faulkner and Tony Nicholson to serve as Deputy Commissioners. The proposed Terms of Reference will be submitted to the Governor with the view to having the Commission commence its work by February this year.

The proposed Terms of Reference include finding the most effective ways to:

• Prevent family violence
• Improve early intervention to identify and protect those at risk
• Support victims
• Make perpetrators accountable
• Improve the way that Government and society work together

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Protecting your privacy and your personal and health information is an important aspect of the way we create, organise and implement our activities on-line and off-line.

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You can access Colin Brooks’ website homepage and browse our site without disclosing personal information. The Office of Colin Brooks MP will only record your email address and/or contact details if you send our site a message.

The personal information we collect includes:

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Should you wish to gain access to, or correction of, your personal information held by the Office of Colin Brooks MP, you may contact the person within the Office of Colin Brooks MP who holds the information, or else, you should contact us via our feedback form.

Please note: This privacy statement does not extend beyond Colin Brooks’ website. When linking to other sites from this website, we recommend that you read the privacy statement of that site to familiarise yourself with its privacy principles.

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Covering an area of approximately 28 square kilometres, the Bundoora electorate has a population of just over 58,000 (as at the 2011 census) and a voting population of just over 38,000 (as at the 2014 state election).

Some of the key features of the electorate include La Trobe University, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Bundoora Campus and one of Melbourne’s most popular recreational parks – Bundoora Park – which visited by over 250,000 people each year.

History of the Bundoora Electorate

The first Member for Bundoora was John Cain (Junior), who was elected in March 1976 and served until October 1992. The seat has been held by the Australian Labor Party ever since.  John Cain also served as Premier from April 1982 to August 1987. Sherryl Garbutt was first elected to the seat of Greensborough in April 1989. Following the abolition of that seat, and the retirement of John Cain (Junior), Sherryl contested the seat of Bundoora in 1992 and was elected. Sherryl served as Minister for Women’s Affairs, Minister for Community Services and Minister for Environment and Conservation under the Bracks Government, before retiring at the election in November 2006.

John Cain (Junior)

Sherryl Garbutt

Colin Brooks

More information

Bundoora District Map

Bundoora District 2014 (Census Data)

Detailed Census Data 2011 (Electorate of Bundoora)

Information on John Cain (Junior)

Information on Sherryl Garbutt