New loos big deal for small school

STAFF and students at Mount Egerton Primary School gathered last Friday to celebrate the opening of a new toilet block.

The project was funded with more than $450,000 from the State Government’s minor capital works grants, and principal Tegan Bell said the upgrades were welcomed.

“This refurbishment was such a need for the school and we can remember what it used to look like which was very run down, uninviting and we didn’t really want to use it,” she said.

Ms Bell began the process of applying for the grant in 2021 and the following year an architect was appointed to design the new building.

“Not only am I, but the entire school community is thrilled to have this new toilet block,” she said.

“I want to thank the Victorian School Building Authority for choosing us, a little school, to get this enormous grant.

“With such a small budget, there’s no way the school could have afforded that.”

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, attended the opening and congratulated Ms Bell on the work she put into the process.

“It was really clear that something needed to happen and it does take a lot of work these grants,” she said.

“Yes, it’s a small school and you might think that a toilet block is a small thing, but it can make a big difference.”

Ms Settle said it’s important for the State Government to support initiatives like the toilet upgrade at Mount Egerton so all children have access to good resources.

“I strongly believe that it doesn’t matter where your postcode is, everyone should have the same opportunities,” she said.

“This is a really special school and it has really special things to offer if you want your child to be in a closer collegiate environment.”