‘Incredibly unfair’: Manifold Heights Primary School students up in arms over controversial Geelong council change

Primary school students are calling for Geelong council to reverse an “incredibly unfair” decision that’s left them without female changerooms.

Manifold Heights Primary school students Ada Donaldson, India Forsyth and Nelly Swanson. Picture: Brad Fleet.

A group of local primary students are writing to Geelong council to express their disappointment over a planned upgrade of the nearby Hamlyn Park being scrapped in favour of another project.

Councillor Peter Murrihy introduced an ultimately successful alternative motion at council’s February meeting to seek government funding for female-friendly change rooms at Newtown and Chilwell’s Elderslie Reserve, rather than Bell Park’s home ground.

Now a group of year six Manifold Heights Primary School students have written letters to highlight what they see as an “unfair” and “disgusting” decision.

They are calling on council to overturn their decision or, alternatively, fund female change rooms at Hamlyn Park, where many of the students play sport.

Year 6 student Zahra Barnett wrote in her letter that girls currently have to get changed in the “disgusting” public bathrooms.

“It’s basically the same as getting changed in a dumpster two kilometres away from where you need to be,” she said.

“I think it’s incredibly unfair how Newtown gets the money we were promised.

“We got everything taken away from us and other clubs got funding.”

Fellow student India Forsyth said some girls had stopped competing because they felt unsafe getting changed.

“We need our own facilities to feel safe and change without the worry and awkwardness of being in a male’s space.” she said.

Harper Madden said more girls would join the club if they had female change rooms.

“There are over 312 girls having to get changed in their car or at home before,” she said.

Letter to council from year six Manifold Heights Primary School student Fin McDonald.

Angus Warren, who plays football for Bell Park, said the boys had significantly better facilities.

“Girls should be supported at their local club,” he said.

“Having change rooms will increase the amount of girls that play sport at Bell Park.”

Letter to council from year six student India Forsyth.

Year 6 teacher and co-ordinator Will Urquhart said about two-thirds of the grade six girls play at Bell Park and they were frustrated by the council’s decision.

“We’ve heard a lot from the adults, and not from the local kids affected at the footy and netball clubs,” he said.

“They’re wanting to be heard.”

Geelong council chief executive Ali Wastie said council officers were pursuing funding and grant opportunities to support facility upgrades across the community, including at Hamlyn Park

”We hear and acknowledge the community feedback that’s been provided by the community regarding the female-friendly change rooms at Hamlyn Park,” she said.

“We also know that our councillors are committed to increasing the participation of women and girls in sports through more female-friendly change rooms.”

Originally published as ‘Incredibly unfair’: Manifold Heights Primary School students up in arms over controversial Geelong council change