The Victorian Government will fast-track funding for upgrades to Catholic and Independent schools across Victoria to give students and staff the best facilities sooner, and support local jobs, businesses and Victoria’s economic recovery.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today announced St Patrick’s College in Ballarat will receive $2 million as one of the more than 50 projects under the Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.

The Victorian Government funding will contribute to the construction of a new $13.2 million Multi-Purpose Centre including provision of an assembly hall with an innovative retractable seating system for up to 2000 students, staff and College community members. The facility will include the provision of flexible learning areas, purpose built spaces to accommodate the curriculum areas of performing arts inclusive of music theory, music tutorials, drama rooms and performance auditorium.

The development will include provision for car parking, soft landscaping and covered play spaces for students to protect them from wet and extreme weather. Sustainability will be considered in the design with further extensions of the Colleges solar and LED lighting systems.

The 56 projects across Victoria will create close to 800 jobs during construction, and follows more than $1.18 billion for new schools, upgrades and expansions of government schools announced in May.

Additional funding for this second round of the Non-Government Schools Capital Fund has been brought forward to help stimulate the economy and create jobs.

The successful schools will be able to start their projects within the next six months driving Victoria’s economic recovery from the pandemic, and the summer’s bushfires.

The projects will help these schools meet growing enrolment demand and includes six new schools in growth areas. More than a third of Victorian students attend Catholic or Independent schools.

It’s part of the Government’s election commitment to establish a $402 million fund in partnership with the non-government school sector to upgrade and build new non-government schools across Victoria.

The Victorian Government is building the Education State with an unprecedented $7.2 billion investment that is not only creating 7,500 jobs but improving, upgrading and building schools to ensure that every community can access a great local school where students are supported to achieve their best.

Every child – no matter where they live or go to school – deserves the best facilities. That’s why the Victorian Government is supporting government, Catholic and Independent schools with record investment to give our kids the best education.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Catholic and independent education plays a vital role in the schooling of Ballarat students. We are proud to support the teachers, students and school community at St Patrick’s College to build their new multipurpose centre.”

“This $2 million investment is a boost for the local economy and will create and sustain jobs here in Ballarat”

Quotes attributable to Acting Principal Stephen Hill

“St Patrick’s College is extremely grateful for the generous support of the State Government as we look to construct a new Multi Purpose Centre for our 1400 students in the next two years.

“This new building will become a spiritual heart of the College and will be home to our acclaimed music and performing arts students as well as providing an ideal space for our community to gather for large assemblies and events.

“This new centre will further build upon our 127-year involvement in music and performing arts and will form a huge part of our ongoing commitment to providing a broad, engaging and diverse education for boys from Ballarat and beyond.”