MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:02): Last week it was fantastic to be in the south-west to celebrate the completion of upgrades at Glenormiston. This is the government that reopened Glenormiston, and it is this government that committed $2 million at the last election to upgrade facilities. The fantastic upgrades include a new hothouse, refurbished classrooms, workshop areas, refurbished on-site accommodation and a new fire protection system. This investment means that more courses will be offered at Glenormiston. From term 3 certificate II and III in horticulture will be offered there. The campus is once again vibrant, with 30 VET school students on site last week. It was also great to meet their agriculture trainer, Rebecca, who has just been awarded teacher of the year at South West TAFE. The future for Glenormiston is absolutely bright.
While in the region I also visited Colac and announced over $246 000 for new agriculture equipment. This will purchase two quad bikes, a side-by-side utility vehicle, a new tractor and security systems. This investment means that South West TAFE will offer certificate II in horticulture at Colac for the first time, as well as delivering certificate III and IV in agriculture in full locally. This is about access to local skills for local jobs in agriculture and horticulture. It was great to make this announcement at Craiglands, just outside of Colac, and to meet Michael, Shae and Zalli, who are currently studying dairy agricultural courses. A big thank you to Mark and Sam Billings for hosting us. They are great, passionate people who love the thought of skilling young people for a career in the dairy industry, and I know this investment, along with the works at Glenormiston, will make a big difference in the region.
