Major parties pledge funds for Kyneton Secondary, New Gisborne Primary School

TWO  Macedon Ranges schools have become the centre of the hotly contested race for the state seat of Macedon.

Parents and teachers present petition to Joanne Duncan calling for a new art building to be built at New Gisborne Primary School - there old room was gutted by fire four years ago. Principal Chris Corbell and students petition Joanne Duncan.

TWO  Macedon Ranges schools have become the centre of the hotly contested race for the state seat of Macedon, with major pre-election pledges announced.

On Friday, significant commitments were made for long-awaited upgrades at both Kyneton Secondary College and New Gisborne Primary School.

Kyneton Secondary College secured a $5 million pledge from Shadow Education Minister James Merlino to update and expand its tech wing into a regional trade centre.

The commitment, should Labor win the election, would add to $5.3 million already directed for college upgrades earlier this year and would sit alongside $11.5 million which Labor has set aside for a new primary school.

Mr Merlino, accompanied by Macedon Labor candidate Mary-Anne Thomas, said the pledge reflected a commitment to rejuvenate the Kyneton Education Precinct.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce $5 million for a regional trade centre which will benefit the whole region,” he said.

“It’s a much-needed asset for the school and community with youth employment going through the roof and attack on the TAFE sector.”

Labor’s plan comes after principal Mark Ridgeway last month told Leader the school needed up to $3 million to upgrade its trade wing, with the $5.3 million unable to be directed to the project without sacrificing classrooms elsewhere.

Mr Ridgeway said the announcement was “a great day for Kyneton and a great day for the Macedon Ranges”.

The unexpected boost would enable more trade equipment, greater emphasis on planning and layout and a larger centre which could also take in food technology subjects, he said.

Further, it would mean the $5.3 million in already committed funds could be better directed.

New Gisborne Primary School student Tia, 12, wants a new art room built.

Simultaneous to the announcement in Kyneton, Macedon Liberal candidate Donna Petrovich pledged a $1.4 million upgrade to New Gisborne Primary School.

This would include a rebuild of the art room, destroyed by fire in 2011.

“As part of Denis Napthine’s team, I’m delighted that we’re committing to the students and families of New Gisborne Primary,” Mrs Petrovich said.

“The funding will go toward building a new art ­facility for students.”

On Wednesday, sitting MP Joanne Duncan was handed a 650-strong petition from the community urging the Government to rebuild the art room.

School council president Chris Corbell said in the last five years more than 150 new students had swollen the to over 500.

“We are encouraged by the participation of the candidates by both major parties,” he said.