Near miss prompts renewed school crossing calls

MEMBER for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has said she’s planning to visit Heathcote in the coming weeks to talk with schools, parents and officers from the City of Greater Bendigo about school crossing funding.

Holy Rosary Primary School community engagement leader Tess Holmes said the school community looks forward to further discussions.

“It’s good news and we are glad Ms Cleeland is continuing to advocate for school crossing funding,” Ms Holmes said.

“Now that school has resumed, many students are finding it difficult without a supervisor in attendance.

“They really miss the presence of an adult there, not only for crossing the road, but also the safety aspect.

“The children like to know there is someone there if needed.”

Holy Rosary last had contact with the City of Greater Bendigo in late-2023.

“They told us they would keep in contact and re-consider reinstating school crossing supervisors at the budget meeting in April for the coming financial year,” said Ms Holmes.

“We are hoping for a positive result.”

A near miss at a school crossing in Nagambie recently highlighted the need for supervision in the region.

“Despite Nagambie Primary School principal Rob French wearing his high-vis vest and holding a stop sign, a speeding car nearly hit him,” said Ms Cleeland.

“If it was a child crossing the road unsupervised, then there is no doubt that could have been an horrific ending.

“I would like to see all crossings across the electorate supervised and properly funded.”