JANUARY 29, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
(Dennis Manktelow)
Sisters share a class act The transition to a new school will be extra exciting for Emily and Grace. Emily, 11, and Grace, seven, this week will be among the first pupils at Burnside Primary School and both will be in a year 3-6 composite class while enrolment levels build. Dad Glynn Lavender said his daughters were very happy about getting back into the classroom. “They’re excited for the new start and, after seven weeks at home, they are more than ready to go back to school,” Mr Lavender said. He said he was interested to see how the girls handled being in the same class. “If it works well, then it will be a great opportunity for them to experience school together,” he said. School principal Davide Lombardi said the sisters’ teacher would vary the work of the composite class. “It is not uncommon for teachers to differentiate their teaching methods to meet the varying needs of each child in one class,” he said. “I believe that when teachers are provided with professional learning and dialogue, and are continually asked to reflect on their current practice, they will develop their capacity as educators.” The school is set to accommodate up to 475 pupils this year. GRACE AND EMILY
Esther Lauaki
Council concern grows By Tate Papworth There are growing concerns the Brimbank council is reverting to its old ways and a local MP says he will have no hesitation in calling for the return of administrators. Infighting has engulfed the council – just over two years since elected councillors were returned for the first time since 2009, when government-appointed administrators were brought in. A councillor conduct panel last week was convened at the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre after allegations of bullying and serious misconduct within the council.
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In dramatic scenes, two councillors were taken to hospital by ambulance after giving submissions. They were both released later that evening. The events of last week have led to calls for administrators to be returned. Community members took to social media to express their concerns. Several comments said they feared the council was going down an all too familiar path. Facebook user Robyn said: “Only wish our council had stayed in the hands of the administrators”. Another Facebook user, Andrew, asked: “Time for administrators again?”
Western Metropolitan Region MP Bernie Finn he was concerned by the situation. “Like many, I was really hopeful that newly elected councillors would bring about a new era of good governance,” Mr Finn said. “It’s deeply concerning that it looks as though we’re going down an all too familiar path. “If this council can’t govern itself, then I’ll have absolutely no hesitation in standing up in Parliament and calling for the return of administrators.” Brimbank council was sacked in 2009, after an ombudsman’s report found it was dysfunctional and plagued by factional and political allegiances.
Democratically elected councillors returned in December, 2016, and Cr John Hedditch was elected as mayor. Upon accepting the position, Cr Hedditch said the new councillors had spoken about the need to work together. “We need a cohesive council,” he said at the time. “No one on this council I know wants to see the infighting of the past.” A spokesman for Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek declined to comment on the need for a panel hearing. The findings of the hearing will be released by the principal councillor conduct registrar within 28 days of the panel making a decision.