Cleeland backs Kilmore Residents Calls for Public High School

As Kilmore’s population continues to boom, a new petition calling for the establishment of a public high school in the town has been presented to the Parliament of Victoria.

Despite being the largest town in Victoria without a public secondary school, Kilmore is expected to more than double in population by 2041 — yet remains overlooked when it comes to basic education infrastructure.

The petition, which has already gathered over 430 signatures, follows previous campaigns with more than 3,300 locals backing calls for a government school. Community momentum continues to grow — but the State Government refuses to listen.

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has led the charge in Parliament, sponsoring petitions, raising the issue multiple times, and recently meeting with the Education Minister’s team.

“Residents have made it crystal clear — Kilmore needs a public secondary school,” Ms Cleeland said.

“At the latest meeting with the Minister’s team, it became blatantly obvious that Labor has no intention of building a public high school in Kilmore in the foreseeable future.

“They even refused to release the Department’s analysis which supposedly justifies this decision — hiding behind claims that Kilmore doesn’t meet population thresholds, without sharing the data.

“It’s absolutely insane that Labor can earmark this region to grow by over 300 per cent, yet still deny it the most basic services — no new school, no adequate transport, and no proper investment in local infrastructure. It’s a slap in the face to every family trying to build a future here.”

Ms Cleeland said nearby schools like Broadford and Wallan are already stretched beyond capacity, with some students facing up to two-hour round trips just to access their nearest public high school.

“Families in Kilmore are being forced to send their 12-year-olds on long, exhausting commutes because this Government refuses to invest in a school right here in town,” she said.

“Kilmore is not just growing — it’s booming. Labor needs to stop treating our region like an afterthought and deliver the educational facilities our kids deserve.”

As the fight continues, locals are urging others to get behind the push and sign the petition to show the Government that Kilmore will not be ignored.

The petition can be signed here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/new-public-high-school-for-kilmore/