The curtain will soon rise at the new and improved Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat promising a revamped space inside and out, that is more welcoming for all – backed by the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today announced the completion of restoration works at the nearly 150-year-old theatre, after a $10 million investment from Regional Development Victoria.

Benefits of this project include reduced delays and queuing during peak times and improved pedestrian and active transport safety, particularly for students and families attending nearby primary and secondary schools.

My constituency question is directed to the Minister for the State Electricity Commission, the SEC, regarding the Allan Labor government’s support for Victorians to save money on their energy bills and switch their homes to electricity.

The inaugural Festival of Australian Queer Theatre was held in Ballarat over the weekend, with 13 events over four days in three venues. I was honoured to attend the opening night on Thursday with so many members of the Ballarat rainbow community – a great reflection of the support that they continually give each other – as well as visitors to Ballarat for the festival.

My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Housing in the other place about the Leawarra neighbourhood housing project in Delacombe, which will revitalise the area in my electorate of Wendouree.

On 18 August we commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. On Sunday I joined with the Ballarat sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia to honour all those who bravely and proudly served our nation during the Vietnam War.

I am pleased to be able to speak in support of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Bill 2024, following on from solid contributions from my friend the member for Albert Park.

Last week I had the great pleasure of joining with the Minister for Education and the members for Ripon and Eureka to celebrate the official opening of the new buildings at the Ballarat Specialist School Gillies Street campus in my electorate of Wendouree.

Thanks to the Allan Labor Government works at the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) are forging ahead, with construction beginning on an extension to Liberator Drive. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today announced that Winslow Constructors have secured the contract to lead this next stage of the BWEZ development, which is being delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Regional Development Victoria.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question and her tremendous advocacy for this fantastic project. I was pleased to recently visit Ballarat station with the Member and thank you for your insights into the future works.

Students at Ballarat Specialist School will now have access to a range of new and modern learning facilities, thanks to the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Education Ben Carroll celebrated the new buildings at Ballarat Specialist School, as they opened their doors for the first time today.

Teachers and school leaders in Ballarat and western Victoria can now boost their skills even further with a new Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership centre transforming education in the region. Minister for Education Ben Carroll visited the Ballarat centre today for its official opening.

My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety regarding intersection upgrades in Alfredton in my electorate of Wendouree.

I too am very pleased to contribute to the debate today in support of the State Sporting Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.

Whilst Ballarat is well known for its winter weather, freezing temperatures and icy wind chills, the show must go on and it does. Congratulations to the BLOC Music Theatre on their staging of 9 to 5: The Musical at the Civic Hall for two weeks in July.