JUNE 16, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
(Joe Mastroianni) 209346_03
Volunteers to the rescue What could be more rewarding then spending time with some stafie friends? A Stafford Rescue Victoria facility in Woodend, known as the Darren and Phillip’s Rescue Retreat, assists in the re-homing of Staffordshire bull terriers and president Jan Hutton is on the hunt for Macedon Ranges volunteers. “We have about 20 loyal volunteers. Some people come from Ballarat, Frankston, Geelong,” she said. “But we want local volunteers if something goes wrong.” Volunteer duties include feeding, walking and spending “cuddle” time with the four-legged pooches. Ms Hutton said the more volunteers she could ind, the merrier. “It’s not something you can put a number on,” she said. “If we have 20 volunteers it doesn’t mean they can all turn up every day.” Ms Hutton had to close the retreat due to coronavirus restrictions but she is hoping to reopen her doors soon. To become a volunteer: staffordrescuevictoria.org.au Jessica Micallef
JAYDE HOLDING DONNY
Fears for school site By Jessica Micallef Concerns are growing over the future use of the former Clarkeield Primary School. he school, on Lanceield Road, was de-stafed in 2016 because of a lack of enrolments, and was formally closed at the end of last year following community consultation. However, the future use of the school is still up in the air. Sunbury resident Elaine Brogan claims “demolition” fences were put around the school earlier this year, fuelling concerns about what the former school could be used for. “I am very anxious that our Australian history,
especially out here in Sunbury, Gisborne and all out this area, has been bulldozed for the sake of major housing developments,” she said. “hat school … is part of Australia’s history and heritage. It is 100 plus years old, that school site. “You only have to look at the big publicity signs along Lanceield Road to know there are major estates going to be developed.” Ms Brogan said the site should be transformed into a service that can be used by locals. “With all this new housing development going on, they [residents] will be looking somewhere for playgrounds, kinders and
perhaps even junior, low-level prep to grade three schooling,” she said. “It would be perfect for that. “It would even be perfect for a community house. It is set up for that so why can’t it continue to be used for that? “Let people have a vision. Let them visualise that it’s a beautiful site.” Macedon MP Mary-Anne homas said the former school site had been retained by the Department of Education and Training. “he department will work with the local council and community regarding the possible use of the former school site for community purposes in the future,“ she said.
Clarkeield Primary School. (Damjan Janevski) 209597_04
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