Page 2495 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 7 August 1991
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The Follett Government is forgetting that since term four in 1990 both school communities have been working towards full amalgamation in 1992. During that time Stromlo High, referred to as the Waramanga campus, and Holder High, now referred to as the Holder campus, have been working on a combined curriculum where staff and students operated out of both campuses. The transition to a one-campus operation is essential and it must happen in 1992. The funding must be included in this year's capital works program, not next year's.
The planned amalgamation of the two schools onto one campus has been discussed and debated at two public meetings held by the Stromlo Parents and Citizens Association, one on 15 May and one on 24 July. My information from these meetings is that, of those who attended, approximately 90 per cent at the first meeting and 95 per cent at the second meeting supported the amalgamation move. There can be no argument from the Government or the community that sufficient opportunity was not given for people to attend those meetings and voice their opinions. The Stromlo High School Board sent out to all students in government schools in the Weston Creek area a copy of their amalgamation bulletin No. 3 prior to the 15 May meeting. Looked at in terms of wide consultation, that distribution represents approximately 2,000 students.
A letter conveying the outcome of the 24 July meeting was sent to the Chief Minister, and again I think it is appropriate that I read that letter. It is dated 25 July and is from Stephen Mitchell, the president of the Stromlo High School Parents and Citizens Association. It reads:
Dear Rosemary,
I write to you on behalf of the Stromlo High School community, and wish to advise that, at the monthly meeting held last night, the decision of your Government to not recognise our community's overwhelming desire to have the Holder Campus moved to the Waramanga Campus at the end of 1991, was deplored, and the following motion was passed by an overwhelming majority:
This Meeting endorses the proposals agreed to at the public meeting of 15th May, 1991, and the conditions included in those proposals, and calls upon the Chief Minister, and the Minister for Education, to state publicly at a Special General Meeting of the Stromlo High School Parents and Citizens Association, WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS, why the Government cannot implement the said proposals.
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