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Welcome to Cobblebank campus St Francis Catholic College’s long-awaited new Cobblebank campus opened to students on Wednesday, August 23. More than 140 students and 25 staff moved in to the $23 million facility to begin a new chapter in the school’s history. Principal Marlene Jorgensen said the opening had been a long time coming. Cobblebank campus students have spent the first two-and-a-half terms at the college’s Melton Campus and were extremely excited to move into their new learning spaces. “Today’s opening has been brought to fruition by the hard work, resilience and optimism of a dedicated team led by our deputy principal and head of campus Kerrie-Ann Matthews,” she said.
Students Harsh, Gurajeet, Jaspar, Eshaan, Pawanpreet, Lewis, Aaymaan and Tejas on their first day at the new scool campus. (Shawn Smits)
Gurnoor, Ashanti and Kulman. (Shawn Smits)
Stage one of the school is complete, with stage two due to begin construction next year.
Heran and Juliana inside the new school building. (Shawn Smits)
The first day of teaching at the new campus. (Shawn Smits)
(Shawn Smits)
Principal Marlene Jorgensen welcoming students, including Rihanna, to the new campus. (Shawn Smits)
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Arnolds Creek Primary’s Wakikirri performance. (Supplied)
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Kids want big change
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Pricing under the pump
Pricing under the pump By Benjamin Millar
‘‘
strongly encourage residents to complain to the ACCC
’’
- Steve McGhie
Mr McGhie said he has taken the issue up with the Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne and will be contacting federal Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor to discuss this issue soon, as fuel prices are regulated by the federal government. “In the interim I strongly encourage residents to complain to the ACCC [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission]” he said. The ACCC’s latest petrol monitoring report showed that average petrol prices rose in the 2020 September quarter after a record low earlier in the year. Although the ACCC does not set fuel prices, it does monitor retail fuel prices on a daily basis. A spokesperson said it has the power to investigate where it sees issues of concern. “Where we find sufficient evidence we will take action to protect consumers against misleading and anti-competitive conduct by fuel retailers.” Mr McGhie’s promise to take action was widely welcomed on social media, where some residents said they had seen price differences of up to 50 cents per litre between Melton and Watergardens.
Fuel prices at Melton petrol stations last week. (Damjan Janevski) 226880_01
Melton’s Andre Peters said the lack of independent competition makes it easier for the major fuel companies to keep prices inflated well above those in neighbouring suburbs. “Sadly there is no competition in Melton as there are no independents,” he said. “Generally we pay at least 20 cents a litre more at times in Melton.” A BP spokesman said petrol prices at the pump can be impacted by a number of different factors.
He said while there are currently about 1400 BP branded sites across Australia, about three quarters are owned by independent business partners who set their own retail pricing. “When it comes to retail fuel pricing, our aim is to be competitive and attract customers to our sites,” he said. “Generally speaking, the price at the pump is impacted by a number of different factors. In particular, international product prices and competition between service stations in a local
area. There are also other factors including exchange rates, taxes and local operating costs.” On Monday, unleaded 91 pump prices at Melton’s BP, Coles Express and 7/11 Mobil were all at 155.9 cents per litre, according to price comparison website Petrol Spy, with Woolworths Caltex at 168.9. Meanwhile Bacchus Marsh BP, Coles Express and 7/11 Mobil prices were 129.9 cents per litre – 26 cents less per litre – and independent outlets were just 119.9 cents per litre. 628174
Melton’s petrol prices are coming under greater scrutiny with a local MP vowing to help take action to bring prices in line with neighbouring areas. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the area’s families are being unfairly hit with higher prices than people in neighbouring suburbs, often paying more than 20 cents per litre extra at the pump and spending at least $10 more every time they fill up.
Scan this QR code to subscribe Or visit meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/subscribe 12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 August, 2023
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By Benjamin Millar
Melton’s petrol prices are coming under greater scrutiny with a local MP vowing to help take action to bring prices in line with neighbouring areas. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the area’s families are being unfairly hit with higher prices than people in neighbouring suburbs, often paying more than 20 cents per litre extra at the pump and spending at least $10 more every time they fill up. “I have had many constituents raise concerns regarding the prices of petrol in Melton being noticeably higher than in other areas,” Mr McGhie said. “I am deeply concerned that families in Melton are paying more than they should be.”
Arnolds Creek Primary School has received a state award and is being considered for a national award for its Wakakirri performance ‘Never too little to bring about big change’. Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools with over 200 schools taking part in 2023. Participating schools are inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘great stories inspire change’ to create and perform story-dances that reflect students’ thoughts, ideas and aspirations. More than 50 students between grade three and six performed on August 2 at Clocktower in Moonee Ponds. Their story is about how children can control their destiny and bring about change in the world. Wakakirri ambassador Christopher Politis congratulated the Arnolds Creek students on a brilliant performance. “[It was a] was a super well rehearsed production with a lot of elements and exciting
moments,” he said. “[They] fit a complicated storyline into a short piece really well. The students’ individual talents were showcased well.” Assistant principal Karen Calleja said the story was important for the school to tell. “The students have done such a wonderful job bringing the story to life,” she said. “Their creative talents are phenomenal, and we are so proud of how hard they have worked together as a collaborative group. Their teamwork and ability to bring out the best in one another is heartening. We wish the team well as they compete in the finals”. Wakakirri festival director Adam Loxley said the standard of performance and the stories being told by schools this year was exceptional and Arnolds Creek Primary School should be very proud of its award. Arnolds Creek will perform again, and find out if it is nominated for national finals on September 8.