Thursday 24 October 2024
Member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne attended the unveiling of St Mary’s Primary School’s new tram. In July, a retired Melbourne tram was delivered to the school, to be refurbished and repurposed into a playground for their 278 students.
$5,000 was raised by the school and community members through a sausage sizzle and cake stall charity events. This was also made possible thanks to a $10,000 grant from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund to the school to upgrade the tram into a safe and inclusive learning space.
The project has transformed an old vintage Melbourne tram, donated by VicTrack into a Wellbeing Tram. The tram will be an area that students can retreat to for peace and an alternate place to the busy playground. Designed especially those on the Autism spectrum, the new Tram will also be used for learning activities outside the classroom.
The $10 million West Gate Neighbourhood Fund was established to support communities in
Melbourne’s inner west during the construction of the West Gate Tunnel. The West Gate
Neighbourhood Fund has supported over 200 community projects at a value of more than
$9.5 million.
The event to unveil the tram was focused on supportive learning, student wellbeing and community engagement.
Quotes attributable to Member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne
I would like to congratulate all involved in the successful delivery of this tram. It will provide a much needed space for students, particularly a quiet area for well being.
Ends.
Media contact: melissa.horne@parliament.vic.gov.au
