Local MP Deb Frecklington backs mum’s push for Special Education School

When the cost-of-living crisis and an ageing parent forced Queensland mum April McMillan to move to the country, she quickly realised how hard life in the bush was for kids like her autistic son. Now, her calls for change have reached parliament.

April McMillan with her son Joshua moved to the region last Christmas for cost-of-living reasons and to be closer to family.

A South Burnett mum has launched a heartfelt petition on change.org seeking a dedicated special education school, highlighting the pressing need for inclusive educational infrastructure in the growing region.

April McMillan, whose 10-year-old son Joshua is level-three autistic, moved to the South Burnett last Christmas for cost-of-living reasons and to be closer to family.

“My father’s not well, as well, so we’re just spending as much time with his as possible,” she said, explaining it had been a struggle to find somewhere for Josh, who neededto be monitored.

“Josh struggles with fine motor activities like holding a pencil properly.

“He’s good at climbing and jumping and all those kinds of things.

“He has executive function so he’s not able to complete tasks by himself and needs assistance.”

Ms McMillan said Josh had very basic verbal communication and was working with a speech therapist.

“He has a lack of safety awareness as well … so he needs round the clock care,” she said.

Joshua is level-three autistic and requires around the clock supervision.

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Before moving to the South Burnett, Josh attended various schools, both dedicated special education schools and a mainstream state school with dedicated facilities.

“It’s a very relaxed setting, they can walk around the classroom and have regular outside breaks, not just two.

“When we moved here, we realised it was over an hour’s drive to Gympie’s special school,” Ms McMillan said.

She approached the local schools but was mostly rejected due to the lack of facilities.

“We did go to Murgon where they were able to offer us an hour a day, but even for a mainstream student, an hour a day is not enough time to settle, let alone an additional needs student.”

Ms McMillan’s three other children attend Moffatdale State School and she said the principal was willing to offer a trial for Josh.

“It’s good that she's willing to give that a go and fingers crossed it all works out.

“He would need a one-on-one teacher’s assistant throughout the day. If we can get all that on board that would help, but whether it’s enough, we’re not sure.

“He’s never been in a mainstream setting before so it’s play it by ear really.”

She said some schools in the region had special needs children attend but emphasised there was a “wide variety” of special needs children and some, like Josh, required more care than others.

“Some are able to attend mainstream schools, but not all are able to cope in that setting,” she said.

April McMillan with her son Joshua.

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Ms McMillan also believes opening up a special school or full-time SEP (special education programs) units would bring more people to the South Burnett.

“I have spoken to a few of my friends and have told them that it is a lovely area to live in and it’s quite cheap considering big-city prices, but they also have additional-needs children and that has been the deciding factor, they are not going to move somewhere that doesn’t have anything available,” she said.

Ms McMillan launched her petition a week ago urging local government bodies and educational departments to recognise the need for a dedicated special education school in the South Burnett.

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington raised the issue during parliamentary question time in 2021 and 2023.

“Most recently in March 2023, I asked the then Minister for education Grace Grace,” Ms Frecklington told the South Burnett Times.

However, Ms Grace said a special school for the region had not been prioritised due to the lack of population growth, which Ms Frecklington described as “disappointing”.

“I have met with constituents who have raised the need for a dedicated Special Education School in the South Burnett and will continue to advocate for this educational opportunity,” she said.

“With our region seeing an influx in families moving here it is imperative that our region accommodates the needs of our community.”

Ms McMillan said the “ultimate outcome” would be to have a special school built in the region.

“But even if it was just designated SEP units in the school that are full-time, that would be great too,” she said.

Anyone wishing to sign Ms McMillans petition can click here or scan the QR code below.

QR code for April McMillan’s petition.