FOR PRESS 30 APRIL 1978
ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, PORT FAIRY
This is a very special day for the people of Port Fairy.
I'm delighted to be with you at this wonderful school.
It's a school with a long and colourful history as you
know the original school was built over 130 years ago.
That " school" was one classroom for eight grades, and two
teachers. Today, with its 180 students and seven full-time teachers,
and with these extensions, St. Patricks reminds us of what
can be achieved by work in a local community.
Much progress has been made since my last visit in 1973. I
know that is in no small measure due to the untiring efforts
of Sister Rosalie and Father Kiniry in particular.
of course, this wonderful project would not have been completed
without the wholehearted efforts of a great number of men,
women and children of this parish. You have made a magnificent
contribution and deserve the highest praise. Your work reminds
us of the real role that communities are playing in projects
such as this throughout Australia.
It is surely a classic illustration of one of the great strengths
of Australian society and that is the willingness of people to
work together for the wider benefit of the community.
The people who " put in" to make this day happen, certainly lived
by the unwritten law that says: " It's not what you get out of
life, but what you can put into it"..
Although the Government in Canberra has contributed a significant
grant to this project, I would not be here today to open these
extensions if it had not been for your work.
The Government that I lead has long supported the concept of
freedom of choice in education and diversity in the range and
type of educational institution. We recognize and actively
encourage the right of parents to -choose the kind of education
they believe best for their children whether in state or
independent schools. We therefore have a commitment to support
non-government schools. / 2
It is well worth remembering that these schools educate
about 20% of our total school population over 600,000-students
which, if they were enrolled in the state school system would
place an enormous strain on that system and its resources.
Of course, in providing an alternative system, non-government
schools add a further dimension and diversity to Australian
education and certainly enrich educational experiences.
Their contribution on issues of concern and innovations in
education in this country have been important in the past and
I-am sure they will continue,
As far back as 1963, the Liberal Country Party Government
commenced assistance to non-government schools for limited
capital purposes. That assistance was widened in 1970 by
the Coalition Government which initiated the principle of
providing direct per capita grants and extending assistance to
primary as well as secondary schools.
Consistent with our desire to help non-government schools we
introduced the concept of providing a minimum of 20% of average
running costs per pupil in government schools for recurrent
grants. Further progress has been made'towards reaching that
target in 1978.
These days we are constantly reminded of rising costs and this
applies particularly to education expenditure. The Government
has been concerned about this question of costs in education.
We have therefore decided to launch a study with the states into
building costs in both Government and non-Government schools
throughout Australia.
This study will specifically identify the differences in costs
between states. We want to achieve greater efficiency and
economy based on a more detailed knowledge of building options
and their relative costs.
The study will identify reasons for difference in cost and give
publicity to them. I am hopeful the results will be available
later this year.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great day for St. Patricks
and a great day for this community.
Governments State and Federal have played an important part
in making this day possible. But let me again emphasise that this
day belongs to the people of Port Fairy and this parish.
The spirit, the initiative, and the willingness to co-operate
that is in evidence here is fair testament to the strength of
community pride in this small corner of Victoria.
It's fair demonstration of the confidence you all have in the
future of this district. As your local member in Canberra, and
as Prime Minister, I'm delighted to be here today. This school
and this communit1-y will continue to grow and prosper. The
quality of the people here will make certain of that. It gives
me great pleasure to formally open the extensions of St. Patricks.
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