Media Releases

Nov 15, 2024

DELIVERING GREATER AMBULANCE CARE IN TRENTHAM

The Allan Labor Government is giving our hardworking rural ambulance teams the facilities they need to continue providing lifesaving ambulance care to Victorians living rurally, opening an upgraded ambulance branch in Trentham.

Oct 25, 2024

FUNDING BOOST FOR MACEDON EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer emergency services organisations in Macedon have received a funding boost to support their ongoing service to the local community as part of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants. Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes has announced the 2024-25 VESEP grant recipients that will share in more than $15 million to purchase new equipment, improve emergency response capability and support community safety.

Oct 23, 2024

NEW PHONICS PLUS PROGRAM IN THE EDUCATION STATE

The Allan Labor Government is ensuring Victorian students remain the best performers in the country by delivering mandatory phonics in all Victorian classrooms.Phonics Plus is a program that provides schools with a comprehensive approach to teaching reading using the evidence-based systematic synthetic phonics approach.

Oct 22, 2024

CELEBRATING 50 BABIES AND TWO YEARS OF PUBLIC FERTILITY CARE

The Allan Labor Government is celebrating two years of free public fertility care in Victoria – welcoming 50 babies into the world and giving more Victorians the chance to start the family they want.Since the landmark service began in 2022, more than 4,300 Victorians have commenced their treatment journey, including more than 600 from regional and rural areas. Victoria’s public fertility service is also improving access for multicultural communities with more than 20 per cent of people accessing the service speaking a language other than English at home.

Oct 21, 2024

REVAMPED HALL TO HELP GUIDE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF GIRLS

Daylesford’s Girl Guides now have a safer, more modern and welcoming home, thanks to the completion of hall upgrades backed by the Allan Labor Government.On Friday, Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas represented Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney to open the revamped hall, alongside local Girl Guides and community members. The upgrades have been made possible by a grant of $47,000 from the Labor Government via Regional Development Victoria.

Oct 18, 2024

HELPING BUSY FAMILIES COVER THE COSTS OF KIDS SPORT IN MACEDON

The Allan Labor Government is helping busy Macedon families with the cost of living and making sure more kids get the opportunity to play the sport they love, with another round of $200 sport vouchers on offer.Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the next round of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is open – helping eligible families cover the costs of sports memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment.

Oct 18, 2024

HELPING FAMILIES ENROL IN KINDER

The Allan Labor Government is making it easier and cheaper for families in 57 council areas, including the Macedon Ranges, to secure a kindergarten place, with extra funding for local council central enrolment systems. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas announced $5.2 million in grants to support local councils to operate Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) services for kindergarten – making it easier, faster and cheaper for families to apply for multiple services in their area.

Oct 14, 2024

ROAD MAINTENANCE BLITZ REVS UP ACROSS REGIONAL VICTORIA

The Allan Labor Government is rolling out a major road maintenance blitz to rebuild, repair, and resurface roads right across Victoria – fuelled by the largest single-year investment in road maintenance in the state’s history. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today launched the $964 million road maintenance blitz at the South Geelong depot of Fulton Hogan, one of the contractors that will deliver these works between now and mid-2025.

Oct 8, 2024

LOCAL SCHOOLS SHAPING A GREENER FUTURE FOR MACEDON

The Allan Labor Government is empowering thousands of young Victorians to protect and care for the state’s natural environment and wildlife into the future.Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today celebrated the achievements of four local schools recognised as part of the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program.