Murrumbateman School – if built by 2023 the Olsen children will be Lucy – Yr 6, Jayne & Sophia Yr 5 and Samuel Yr 1 – Pictured in 2019 with their mother Kate
Murrumbateman families and community leaders have welcomed today’s news, just announced, that a site has finally been chosen for a public school in Murrumbateman.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell and Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman today announced the site is located on 2 Fairley Street, a 1.5-hectare site in the centre of Murrumbateman with dual road frontage. A site which has been welcomed but also limits the school site to primary schooling only.
Mr Graeme Shaw, the Developer of Fairly Estate, put forward the site as part of an expression of interest process and will provide the land as part of a commercial arrangement.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the long-awaited announcement is welcome news to the Murrumbateman community.
“The Murrumbateman community is invited to learn more about plans for their new primary school, with a drop-in Community Engagement Hub open, next week,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“If the school was built by 2023 then three of my four children would be able to attend,” rejoiced local mother, Kate Olsen.
Ms Olsen has been part of the latest decade of lobbying in a fight to restore local education spanning at least two decades. The rapidly growing Murrumbateman District is expected to reach a population of 6,552 by 2036 according to Yass Valley Council’s Settlement Strategy.
“I started advocating for a local school when my oldest daughter was three, so that was six and a half years ago, and I have had three more children since. When we moved here, we had options in North Canberra. When we were forced out of the A.C.T, it really pushed the point that we needed a local school. We chose to support the feeder schools in Yass, which was a good decision but definitely very excited to see all our hard work is going to come to fruition.”
Ms Olsen, who is also a teacher, believes a local primary school will provide a heart for the community – the missing link for a continuous and cohesive community experience for local families.
“Definitely happy to have less tired children to be able to build a community hub where we can have local friendships that go beyond pre-school, where children can play together at school and can have after school playtimes and hopefully from that more sporting groups and different community groups can come together.”
Councillor Mike Reid, speaking as a private citizen who has been lobbying for almost a decade, welcomed the announcement and said the site would fast-track the school build which he expects should take under two years.
“I am really pleased that it’s going ahead and we’re going to get a school. I am somewhat disappointed that the council’s offer of land (on Hawthorn) was not taken up as it would have meant a long-term commitment to a high school and community recreation grounds. However, with this site, we should have no hesitation in having that built in two years. They must have models for building schools. It should be for at least 350 students, it should be as big as Berinba is now, and right next door is crown land that might be used as an extension of the school grounds,” Councillor Reid added.
Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey said, “This announcement is a significant milestone and welcome news for the Murrumbateman community – particularly young families.
“Council looks forward to closely working with the Department of Education to progress the design and construction of the primary school to ensure we get the right outcome for the Murrumbateman community – now and into the future.
Minister Mitchell said securing the land was a significant and exciting step in the planning process for the new primary school.
“This school will be a valuable asset for local families and benefit the Murrumbateman community for generations.
“I’m proud that the N.S.W. Government is continuing our record investment in school infrastructure, particularly in regional and rural N.S.W,” Ms Mitchell said.
Ms Olsen has participated in a project reference group for planning the primary school and says the possible ready date is significant.
“2023 will mark fifty years since Murrumbateman school closed so it will be a fitting anniversary present for our town to be able to receive a new public school for this next generation of children that hopefully my son as my youngest and some of my middle children will attend.”
Ms Olsen has no doubt the school will be well supported.
“I have heard from a few families in Murrumbateman who send their children to private schools in Yass and Canberra who have all said they would support a public school in Murrumbateman, so that really shows it’s not always a preference to go private. It is just circumstances and what is easier for families in our area,” Ms Olsen surmised.
With less than thirty students from Murrumbateman enrolled in Berinba Public, the current receiving school in Yass, combined with strong growth expected in Yass, the change of school zones is not expected to impact on the public schools in Yass.
