Fri, 27 Oct 2006 03:43:11 GMT
The Premier of Victoria, The Honourable Steve Bracks, officially opened Wallan Secondary College, today Tuesday the 24th of October, at a Ceremony held on the college grounds.
Principal of Wallan Secondary College, Ms. Wendy Caramarco warmly welcomed almost 100 invited guests, parents and community members, along with the entire class of 2007. Opening the proceedings, Kellie Hunter Loughran, a Wurundjeri Gunung Willam Balluk Woman and Wallan Secondary College parent, made a formal and traditional Welcome to Country. She also presented a koorie flag to the School.
Mr. Ben Hardman MP, the member for Seymour, introduced the Premier and thanked all those who participated in the original meeting with the Premier in 2000 to discuss plans for a High School in Wallan.
The Premier accepted the welcome to country on behalf of the State Government and congratulated all the community members, parents, and college community supporters who have been working tirelessly over the years to establish Wallan’s first Secondary College. The Premier remarked on what a wonderful achievement it is for the wallan community.
The Premier also took much pleasure in announcing that Wallan Secondary College Architects, Hayball Leonard Stent Pty Ltd, was the recipient of the inaugural good design awards, winning both best Secondary College and best Overall School, an award signed by the Minister for Education, the Hon. Lynne Kosky. The Premier commented that the rewards of the 5.2 Million dollar project were beginning to be seen as the different stages of construction took shape.
Senator, The Honourable Judith Troeth, represented the Federal Education Minister, Ms. Julie Bishop. Senator Troeth congratulated the Wallan Community for their achievement and thanked the local Federal Member for McEwen, the Hon Fran Bailey, for her work in securing a Federal government contribution of 1.7 Million towards the construction of the college.
Concluding the formal ceremony, there was a wonderful poetry recital by students Emily Loughran and Sarah Lydiate. Ashley Triffett and Glenn Frisch also provided a reading that gave a student’s perspective of their new school.
The college community and parents should be very proud of the calibre of presentation provided by these students.
The ceremony concluded with afternoon tea in the Arts precinct of the college, with students providing wonderful hospitality to all the guests.
More details of the opening can be found on the Wallan Secondary College Website over the coming days.
www.centralrangesllen.org.au/wallansc
