Region’s education needs must be met in state budget

As the release of this year’s Victorian State Budget approaches, The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is calling for urgent action to address education shortcomings across the region.

Ms Cleeland said that local schools in several towns were crying out for upgrades, while other towns were still left without a secondary school despite significant demand.

“Improving the facilities at our regional schools was a high priority for many of our local families, students, teachers, and education staff members during the past year,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Sadly, we have been left disappointed, with Labor’s promises to provide $13m worth of upgrades at Broadford Primary School being broken, and towns like Kilmore and Heathcote still not having a public secondary school.

“We are hoping to see this government take regional education more seriously in this year’s budget, with improvements to our local schools prioritised for the benefit of our entire region.”

Ms Cleeland has been advocating for the establishment of a public high school in Kilmore, helping sponsor petitions, raising the issue in Parliament, and sharing local concerns with Ministers and the Treasurer in the lead up to this year’s budget.

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

“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.

“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.”

Ms Cleeland has also advocated for improvements to both the local primary and secondary school in Broadford, with Broadford Secondary College recently unveiling their upgrades.

“The Nationals made an election commitment to upgrading Broadford Secondary College – something that at the time was not matched by Labor,” Ms Cleeland said.

“This continued advocacy for improvements forced Labor to come to the table and provide the school with much-needed upgrades to reduce enrolment pressure.”

The Victorian State Budget for 2025/26 will be released on Tuesday, May 20.