By Jackson Taylor
It’s probably a little too late to say ‘Happy New Year!’ – so I’ll say welcome to 2025 and it’s great to be back for another year contributing in this great local publication.
I hope everyone had a good Christmas break and that you’re all successfully getting back into the swing of things.
It’s good to see parents locally and across the state are taking advantage of the School Saving Bonus which provides $400 to each kid at a government school.
For families of eligible students at a non-government school, the $400 will be provided directly to each school – to be managed in consultation with the student’s family.
I know this is a little bit of extra help to pay for things like text books, uniforms, camps and a range of other school activities.
North East Link
Cranes (lots) in the sky and boots (heaps) on the ground!
The North East Link is seriously underway with major works on the Eastern Freeway really heating up!
When complete in 2028 – no more driving past the zoo to get across to the West and you’ll save up to 11 minutes on the Eastern into Melbs.
There’s heaps of benefits and lots to love about our state’s biggest ever roads project.
Boronia Rotary
Every year Rotary Club of Boronia- in conjunction with the Boronia RSL – run an Anzac Day Student Service, down at the Tim Neville Arboretum, in Ferntree Gully.
And every year – it gets bigger and bigger.
Last year, there was over 600 grade 5 and 6 students in attendance from right across Knox.
So, I’m really proud that the State Government is delivering a grant of over $3000 to help run the event this year.
My thanks to both Rotary and Boronia RSL on their ongoing commitment to seeing this important event a success – and I’m very much looking forward to being at the 2025 event.
Backing local education
At Bayswater Primary, there’ll be a brand-new deck connecting classrooms to a new outdoor learning space!
Excited to share the news the State Government are providing funding to deliver this new space.
A very cool addition to the new building we delivered a little while back.
The new toilets are now complete at Wantirna South Primary!
Always love popping into Wantirna South Primary and catching up with principal Kerri Emonson – and even more so to see the great outcome with new toilets delivered!
We have also seen a new kinder on Iris Crescent in Boronia open as well.
The new Goodstart centre (not for profit) was provided a grant by the State Government to deliver new state of the art facilities for our youngest locals.
In Other News
– New playgrounds at Kent Park Primary open and oval soon to be complete
– Sporting club grants delivered for Boronia Hawks, Knox City Tennis, Bayswater Strikers, Bayswater Park Cricket, The Basin Cricket, Knox Boronia Cricket and Boronia Calisthenics
– Grant provided to 2nd /3rd Bayswater Scouts to replace their indoor flooring
Shout-out
The Ferntree Gully Cemetery Tour is a must – the stories and history of our part of the world are intriguing and captivating all while touring a beautiful cemetery.
I took the tour recently myself.
The tour started at 7:.30pm from The Hut Gallery and then we walked over to the cemetery where we were taken through the stories associated with 22 gravesites.
To see upcoming tours, be sure to follow the Ferntree Gully Cemetery History and Mystery Tours Facebook page for tours in 2025.
All of the funds go to supporting them to continue to preserve and promote Knox’s rich history.
And a big shout-out to everyone who has returned a container at the Bayswater Depot site where there has now been over 10 million returned, that’s $1 million back in pockets just from one return site!
