In a rural community in northern Victoria, a mother’s heart-wrenching story is turning heads and highlighting a larger nationwide injustice.

In this particular case, due to a lack of student enrolment, a rural Victorian school about 230 km north of Melbourne may be forced to close its doors, leaving students without a local primary school.

This isn’t the first time rural Australian communities have been left in a lurch, but it’s certainly a distressing escalation.

Ms Binion and the community knew that last year, the school council proposed closing the school because of declining enrolment, but the Department of Education and Training had not signed off on the closure or made a final decision on the matter.

Is there a wider issue at play? Image Credit: Shutterstock

'There's no grey area. If the school is not closed then it's open. They need to supply a teacher for my daughter and for the other four children who are ready to start,' she said.

The importance of a small rural school should not be undermined. The next closest school is 60 kilometres away, and parents are concerned about the impact this will have on their children's education outcomes, as well as their own ability to work.

But this isn’t the first time rural communities have been dealt a bad hand.

Back in 2022, we wrote an article discussing the BIG W Free Books for Kids initiative and member @Ricci said: ‘Unfortunately the nearest Big W is over 2 hours away so I won't be getting any of their books but what a lovely initiative.’

Now, this had us concerned. Two hours away? Surely that’s not the norm…

Member @lozat54 was in a similar predicament: ‘So I only have to drive for 3 1/2 hours to get a ‘free’ book ?!?!?!’

Similarly, @Leeta069 said: ‘Mine's nearly 4 hours away.’

But the Department of Education and BIG W aren’t the only ones seemingly turning their backs on rural and regional Australia.

Over recent years, Target (including Target Country) has also closed a number of rural stores. While some were converted into Kmart stores, not all were lucky.

Even Woolworths has offerings not available for rural communities, such as the under 60 minute BBQ chook delivery for Metro customers that they introduced in 2022.

While standard Woolworths delivery may not be available in your location, their FAQs state: ‘We work with a number of couriers around the country to help get fresh groceries to our customers no matter where they live. Sometimes this means your order will involve additional courier charges. For more information on remote deliveries, please call 1800 000 610.’

As for Coles, their website states:
‘Remote delivery is now offered in most areas of Australia that are 100kms or more away from a Coles store. When you enter your address for delivery, you'll be shown a list of distributors/transport providers we currently work with, who deliver by road, air and barge.’

‘Fees will vary depending on your location and we'll show you these when you select your delivery slot. We charge you for boxing your order and taking it to a third party location. Your transport provider will charge you a fee for delivery and this cost is determined by them. You will need to pay the delivery fee separately and direct to your transport provider.’

While it’s not perfect, it is an improvement on no delivery options! However, we’d like to see improved delivery options as this is a hugely popular service in metropolitan areas.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. One group looking out for rural and regional communities best interests is the National Rural Health Alliance.
According to NRHA CEO Susi Tegen, the 2022-3 budget recognised the need for initiatives to help and encourage the rural health workforce by providing support for more rural generalists and junior doctors, as well as extending the single employer model (these modes of operation are currently being tested in selected rural communities) and increasing funding for both doctor and practice streams of the workforce incentive program.

This should make it easier to book in with a local doctor, as well as reduced stain on the healthcare systems already in place.

It’s good to know that Australians living outside of cities haven’t been entirely forgotten.

Key points

Key Takeaways

• Parents at Devenish Primary School in a rural town in northern Victoria discovered that there would be no class due to the Department of Education and Training not supplying a teacher.
• More than 430 people had signed a petition to keep the school open.
• However, the department was refusing to accept enrolment paperwork and parents were not given prior notice that there would be no teacher.
• Recently, rural BIG W and Target stores are closing their doors, making many employees jobless.
• These closures in regional Australia have a major negative effect on the local economy.
• There is work to be done in the regional healthcare industry but the 2022-3 budget is set to help.

We understand there are limitations and costing issues associated with supplying to rural areas, however, when do we say enough is enough?

So do you think your rural or regional community is being left behind? It might be time to make your voice heard, and let those in the positions of power hear what rural communities need.

You can do this by contacting your local member of Parliament. You can find yours here.

The situation is frustrating and we feel for any SDC members who are missing out simply because of where they live.

Members, if you have any thoughts or stories to share in relation to this issue, then please let us know in the comments below.

 

[wooniemac]

When my children were younger they all attended a school which had 10 pupils.The Victorian School Releiver was Principal, plus teacher for all grades from prep to grade6. When it was time for the grade 6 students to graduate to high school, there were no more upcoming pupils so the school closed. Rural schools are not classed as viable to keep open and maintain. All of us mothers cleaned the classroom and we were the social event when we held a fete and bartered our crops,ie: fruit ,vegetables, milk and bread. Losing the school not only scattered the children, but also closed down a social community.

 

[Rob44]

In a rural community in northern Victoria, a mother’s heart-wrenching story is turning heads and highlighting a larger nationwide injustice.

In this particular case, due to a lack of student enrolment, a rural Victorian school about 230 km north of Melbourne may be forced to close its doors, leaving students without a local primary school.

This isn’t the first time rural Australian communities have been left in a lurch, but it’s certainly a distressing escalation.

Ms Binion and the community knew that last year, the school council proposed closing the school because of declining enrolment, but the Department of Education and Training had not signed off on the closure or made a final decision on the matter.

View attachment 12727

Is there a wider issue at play? Image Credit: Shutterstock

'There's no grey area. If the school is not closed then it's open. They need to supply a teacher for my daughter and for the other four children who are ready to start,' she said.

The importance of a small rural school should not be undermined. The next closest school is 60 kilometres away, and parents are concerned about the impact this will have on their children's education outcomes, as well as their own ability to work.

But this isn’t the first time rural communities have been dealt a bad hand.

Back in 2022, we wrote an article discussing the BIG W Free Books for Kids initiative and member @Ricci said: ‘Unfortunately the nearest Big W is over 2 hours away so I won't be getting any of their books but what a lovely initiative.’

Now, this had us concerned. Two hours away? Surely that’s not the norm…

Member @lozat54 was in a similar predicament: ‘So I only have to drive for 3 1/2 hours to get a ‘free’ book ?!?!?!’

Similarly, @Leeta069 said: ‘Mine's nearly 4 hours away.’

But the Department of Education and BIG W aren’t the only ones seemingly turning their backs on rural and regional Australia.

Over recent years, Target (including Target Country) has also closed a number of rural stores. While some were converted into Kmart stores, not all were lucky.

Even Woolworths has offerings not available for rural communities, such as the under 60 minute BBQ chook delivery for Metro customers that they introduced in 2022.

While standard Woolworths delivery may not be available in your location, their FAQs state: ‘We work with a number of couriers around the country to help get fresh groceries to our customers no matter where they live. Sometimes this means your order will involve additional courier charges. For more information on remote deliveries, please call 1800 000 610.’

As for Coles, their website states:
‘Remote delivery is now offered in most areas of Australia that are 100kms or more away from a Coles store. When you enter your address for delivery, you'll be shown a list of distributors/transport providers we currently work with, who deliver by road, air and barge.’

‘Fees will vary depending on your location and we'll show you these when you select your delivery slot. We charge you for boxing your order and taking it to a third party location. Your transport provider will charge you a fee for delivery and this cost is determined by them. You will need to pay the delivery fee separately and direct to your transport provider.’

While it’s not perfect, it is an improvement on no delivery options! However, we’d like to see improved delivery options as this is a hugely popular service in metropolitan areas.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. One group looking out for rural and regional communities best interests is the National Rural Health Alliance.
According to NRHA CEO Susi Tegen, the 2022-3 budget recognised the need for initiatives to help and encourage the rural health workforce by providing support for more rural generalists and junior doctors, as well as extending the single employer model (these modes of operation are currently being tested in selected rural communities) and increasing funding for both doctor and practice streams of the workforce incentive program.

This should make it easier to book in with a local doctor, as well as reduced stain on the healthcare systems already in place.

It’s good to know that Australians living outside of cities haven’t been entirely forgotten.

Key points

Key Takeaways

• Parents at Devenish Primary School in a rural town in northern Victoria discovered that there would be no class due to the Department of Education and Training not supplying a teacher.
• More than 430 people had signed a petition to keep the school open.
• However, the department was refusing to accept enrolment paperwork and parents were not given prior notice that there would be no teacher.
• Recently, rural BIG W and Target stores are closing their doors, making many employees jobless.
• These closures in regional Australia have a major negative effect on the local economy.
• There is work to be done in the regional healthcare industry but the 2022-3 budget is set to help.

We understand there are limitations and costing issues associated with supplying to rural areas, however, when do we say enough is enough?

So do you think your rural or regional community is being left behind? It might be time to make your voice heard, and let those in the positions of power hear what rural communities need.

You can do this by contacting your local member of Parliament. You can find yours here.

The situation is frustrating and we feel for any SDC members who are missing out simply because of where they live.

Members, if you have any thoughts or stories to share in relation to this issue, then please let us know in the comments below.

What, kids can't walk 60km to school each day?

 

[Penny4]

They could do School of the Air. It's very good for kids.

 

[Gsr]

Not only schools suffer in country areas. Anything outside the major cities and ACT is totally forgotten by all political parties unless there is an election coming up, then all these promises are made for infrastructure, roads, bridges etc etc to get the vote, then as soon as the election is over whichever party wins once again ignores the needs of any areas outside the big cities, all money goes on new sports grounds, car parks etc. never mind that there is nothing wrong with the sports ground or car parks they have, just build new ones anyway. After all country areas don’t need sports grounds and car parks when we can spend all the taxpayers money in the cities. It is like no one who lives in any country area is even given any thought by any politician, regardless of which party they belong to.

 

[elaine41]

They could do School of the Air. It's very good for kids.

And so their parents who have to work the property or go to work outside the home, would have to stay at home & supervise their learning. Plus, the children miss the social interaction of having other children in the classroom & to play with. That is a very short-sighted solution to a long-term problem.

 

[Jennylolo]

numerous state primary schools have closed in SA over my 50 year teaching career and some high schools, in the suburbs. It was 120 students have to be there for it to continue as viable. Costs to run them , the resources and staffing needed was too great. I worked in a high school that 2 primary schools merge with it, as all 3 schools didn't have the numbers to keep them viable.

 

[Penny4]

And so their parents who have to work the property or go to work outside the home, would have to stay at home & supervise their learning. Plus, the children miss the social interaction of having other children in the classroom & to play with. That is a very short-sighted solution to a long-term problem.

I believe there isn't any need for supervision when they do the school of air, as the teachers are teaching them as if they are in a class room. If the parents aren't working from home, then that's difficult.
Definitely need the interaction of other children and I'm for it. Very difficult when parents have a property to look after. Plus, only the well-off can afford boarding school for their kids.

 

[Gsr]

I grew up attending small country schools with the principal also teaching every class. It was so much better than the term I had to spend at a town combined infants, primary, high school when I was in sixth class. Most of the kids at this school were stuck up and wanted nothing to do with us country kids, you would have thought we were from a different planet, I loved school but those 3 months were the worst part of my entire school years. The country school got closed as not enough kids. We lived a long way out of town, dirt road, no buses, so it was the parents job to get us to and from school. All were farmers and none of the wives had a licence so the dads had to take turns leaving the farm to transport us all to school, and to pick us up in the afternoons. There were 9 kids so it took 2 cars to do this. As far as I am aware there was no payment to the parents for doing this. After one term my family moved to another area to share farm so all us kids got to go to a small country school again. This school was closed about 3 years later but there was a bus running to take all age kids to the town to school. By then I had been going to town to the high school for 2 years.