School rat hall to go- St Thomas More Primary School students Jayden, Nathan, Grace and Ebony

By Tania Martin
ST THOMAS More Primary School has won the right to demolish a decrepit, rat and asbestos riddled hall to make way for a sporting oval.
The long-awaited project was put on the line in September after the Shire of Yarra Ranges moved to heritage list the hall.
The school asked for the council to reconsider its decision and on Tuesday 24 November the shire backed down agreeing that although the hall had some historical significance, it was inhabitable and the land was needed for the children.
School parish committee president Andrew Peterson told the council that demolishing the hall would make way for a recreational area for the students.
“This 50-year-old school has never had a grassed playing area, ever,” he said.
Following the decision to place an interim heritage overlay over the hall, the community rallied and collected a 1000 signatory petition calling for the council to reconsider.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the hall was not safe to be used by the public.
“When you weigh providing a grassed area in a school for kids versus a hall that isn’t used, there’s is no contest,” she said.
“It’s hard to believe a school in the Dandenongs doesn’t have a grassed areas and I think this is a fantastic outcome for the kids and their families.”
Lyster Ward’s Cr Noel Cliff said the decision was a ‘no brainier’.
“We have kids that need sports and exercise facilities and the Government is always encouraging people to get fit,” he said. “We have to look out for our young and provide facilities for them to have healthy lives.”
School principal Marg Geason said the students were thrilled with the decision.
She said it was a huge turning point for the school.
“The children at our school do extremely well in sport but they have to train on the ashfelt,” Ms Geason said.
“Just imagine how much better they will do training on grass.”
Sports Minister James Merlino said it was a great result.
“I worked hard with the school to get this outcome. We advocated strongly to council and are delighted with the result,” he said.
“This is a common sense outcome for the project and will add to critical open sport and recreation space in the Dandenongs.”