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Students in regional Victoria such as Gippsland should not have to endure more weeks locked out of the classroom

Students in regional Victoria should not have to endure more weeks locked out of the classroom.

By news@gippsland - 6th October 2021 - Back to News

According to the Andrews Government’s roadmap, only Prep to Grade 2 and final year students will be back in the classroom this week to start to get their studies back on track. Despite high vaccination rates across regional Victoria, it’ll still be more than three weeks before all country kids are back in school full-time.

Schools will begin a staged return to onsite learning from the first week of Term 4, remote and flexible learning will continue to be delivered to students on the days they are not attending onsite

No reason to delay

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria Peter Walsh said regional students had already sacrificed too much after the virus spread out of control in metro Melbourne. "Regional Victorians are leading the way doing our bit to protect ourselves and our community with more than 60 percent of people over 16 now fully vaccinated, while 88 per cent have had their first dose," Mr Walsh said.

"But under Labor’s roadmap our regional kids will still wait until October 26 to get back to full time, on-site study. Why should kids living in council areas like Buloke, Towong and Hindmarsh – which have never recorded a single case of COVID, ever – continue to have their education disrupted."

"There’s no reason to delay – our schools and childcare in regional areas that aren’t in lockdown should be able to fully reopen, so kids and families can get on the road to normal."

Returning to minimum level

Under the Andrews Government’s Melbourne-centric roadmap, many community sports clubs can only return at minimum levels at the 70 per cent threshold. Mr Walsh said regional communities should get these freedoms sooner. At 70 per cent, all community sport should return for fully vaccinated Victorians, with an adequate number of players for competition.

"Community sport is crucial to the mental wellbeing of Victorians, but our local sports clubs are in ruins after cancelling games and – in many cases – entire seasons in the past 18 months. Metro double dose vaccination is at 52 per cent, which means country people will be stuck waiting for the city to catch up." Mr Walsh said.

Moving on sooner to reopen

Mr Walsh also said, "Regional Victoria must be able to move into the next phase of our recovery when we reach the 80 per cent milestone, without delay. This approach is a good incentive for country people to get the job and will see our schools, businesses and communities moving on sooner to reopen, rebuild and recover."

Pictures from Warragul Regional College Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants East rip off for Gippsland may be avoided says Darren Chester
  The Federal Government is backing away from a plan which would have short-changed bushfire impacted communities in East Gippsland, according to local MP Darren Chester.
• Dog friendly holiday accommodation in Gippsland when planning your next family break
  Dog lovers, think beyond accommodation where you’re permitted to bring your dog, to next-level pooch-dedicated resorts.
• Sale air show to get flying start for Gippsland in 2022 by Wellington Shire Council
  An event that would give chance to reconnection of former air force colleagues, attract visitors that would also give boost to the economy.
• Darren Chester encourages eligible Gippslanders to get vaccinated
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging eligible Gippslanders to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Archibald prize 2021 to be hosted by Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale in October
  Australia’s favourite art award, the prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture is coming to Gippsland.
• List of the best things to see in Gippsland for spring 2021
  Spring is an amazing time to visit Gippsland with the fragrant gardens, thunderous waterfalls, and outdoor wanderings, events that are surely a must see.
• Young Archie 2021 exhibition now open at Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale
  Gippslanders will get a unique first look at Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art award when the Archibald Prize opens in Sale next week.
• Russell Northe encourages community support for Gippsland hospice at Churchill in Latrobe Valley
  Online petition for state government to consider and explore opportunities to build a hospice in the local community.
• Gary Blackwood points out Timber Code of Practice overhaul far from complete
  Review of the code and subsequent recommendations have been finished, yet clarity on proposed changes to timber industry has not been released.
• Budget and financial plan for 2021/22 adopted by South Gippsland Shire Council
  Budget and financial planning 2021-22.
• Black Spot program funded nearly $3 million for three projects in Baw Baw, Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires for 2020-21
  Installation of safety barriers and safety upgrades such as lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts in Sand Road/Princes Way as part of the government’s Black Spot Program.
• Applications to non-residents undertaking fire preparedness now have COVID travel restrictions exemptions
  Non-residential owners of properties in the Wellington Shire can now apply for an exemption from Covid-19 travel restrictions for the purposes of undertaking fire prevention works.
• Andrews Labor Government still won’t roll it out rapid antigen testing to help revive major events
  Andrews government still not giving a plan to end the uncertainty of lockdown.
• Business Fibre Zones with 1 GB Internet connections coming to Warragul and Wonthaggi-Inverloch from agreement between state government and NBN Co
  Victorians can look forward to more areas of their state being able to access the highest speed NBN speed tiers under a co-investment agreement between NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) and the Victorian Government, announced today.
• Low indigenous vaccination rates risk widening the gap in Latrobe Valley and Gippsland
  Vaccine hesitancy and testing hesitancy in Victoria’s Indigenous communities’ risks pushing people further into disadvantage under the Andrews Labor Government’s plan to offer more freedoms to people who are fully-vaccinated.
• Baw Baw Shire and Latrobe City Council get extra $13,200 from state government ‘Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program’
  Eastern Victorian Councils will receive more funding to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
• Baw Baw Shire Council shares in state funding to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system
  Victorian councils are being supported to roll out new education campaigns to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system, as part of the Victorian Government’s goal to divert 80% of waste from landfill.
• Darren Chester campaigns to save the Lakes Entrance rotunda from an ill-conceived East Gippsland Shire Council plan
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is campaigning to save the Lakes Entrance rotunda from an ill-conceived East Gippsland Shire Council plan.
• Baw Baw Shire Council to continue transition out of direct aged and disability support services
  Council is proceeding with the decision reached in March 2020 to transition out of delivering direct care aged and disability support services from 30 June 2022.
• Rowenna Dunn announced as new manager for the West Gippsland Arts Centre
  Announcement of Rowenna Dunn as new manager of West Gippsland Arts Centre.
• Nominations open to for young people for 2022 Youth Council in Wellington Shire
  Wellington Shire Council is calling on young people who want to have a greater say and help build a strong and inclusive community, to nominate for 2022 Youth Council.
• Feedback invited on Rural Land Use Strategy from East Gippsland Shire Council
  Council inviting the community to send their feedback for the rural land use strategy.
• Tickets on sale for Archibald Prize exhibition in October at Gippsland Art Gallery
  Tickets on sale for Archibald Prize at Gippsland Art Gallery.
• Five reasons to get to Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort in Gippsland this winter
  Resort where kids can learn to ski or snowboard, or for the family to spend the holiday to.
• New footpath along Howitt Avenue and Eastwood Road to make a safer route to school and the shops
  East Gippsland Shire Council starts work this week on a new footpath that will provide Eastwood locals with a safer route to school and the shops, and offer a great reason to leave the car at home.
• The Disability Gateway is new one-stop shop for support to people in Gippsland with a disability
  People with disability can now access support team which includes information, programs and support available.
• New website to showcase East Gippsland
  A new website that will improve the East Gippsland visitor experience is now live.
• Give your view on vaccines passports to Russell Broadbent for South and West Gippsland
  Invitation to share your thought and concerns about the vaccination passports