School centre embraces Hillsmeade community

By Callan Date
HILLSMEADE Primary School students and staff had a spring in their step last week after the official opening of a $4.4 million community centre on their campus.
The Neville Rohan Community precinct was opened for the first time with a new extended multi-purpose hall with canteen facilities, a new pavilion and change rooms all on show.
Funding was also made available for an extra car park and landscaping of the area.
Victorian senator Mitch Fifield attended the official opening of the building, which was made possible through a Federal Government capital grant of $1.6 million, a State Government contribution of $2.7 million and a school contribution of $42,000.
Principal Anne Nicholls thanked Hillsmeade friends and supporters for their contributions to the successful opening.
“The Hillsmeade Primary School council decided to dedicate the new community precinct to the memory of Neville Rohan in recognition of his contribution to the establishment and building of Hillsmeade and his continued support until his untimely passing,” Ms Nicholls said.
Mr Rohan was a Department of Education official at the time Hillsmeade was built. “He loved all aspects of his job but undoubtedly his greatest satisfaction came from creating green field site schools like Hillsmeade,” Ms Nicholls said.
“I would also like to congratulate our students on establishing some Hillsmeade traditions: a sensational school song, a thoughtful school pledge and an oath for our student leadership team, all performed for the first time at our opening,” she said.
Senator Fifield congratulated the school on establishing facilities for the 845 students enrolled and the growing Casey community.
He said the precinct would accommodate indoor sporting and cultural events for use by the school and the wider Casey community.
“This project demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to providing every student with the best possible learning environment through the provision of this exciting new precinct.”
Senator Fifield also presented Hillsmeade Primary School with an Australian flag for their new flagpole that was provided by the Federal Government.