The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, and the Federal Member for Flynn, Chris Trevor, today paid a visit to Gladstone State High School to unveil the building plans for the school's new $1.97 million Language Centre, a key part of the Rudd Government's Building the Education Revolution infrastructure program.
The Assistant Treasurer and Chris Trevor met with local Principal, Leanne Ibell, to discuss the project and to see first hand how the Rudd Government is working to enhance local learning environments and teaching facilities in Gladstone.
"The global recession has hit some areas of Queensland particularly hard – that's why it's been so critical for the Rudd Government to support local workers by providing stimulus for sectors like the construction industry," the Assistant Treasurer said.
"This new Language Centre will be a world class facility that will help ensure our local students have access to the right technology that they will need to succeed in their future.
"It will also be a welcome addition to the new Gladstone Technical College earmarked for the Gladstone State High campus, giving local students a variety of options to focus on during their schooling," Mr Trevor said.
"It is also good to see my old school where I finished my secondary years getting a major lift as part of the Rudd Governments BER program," Mr Trevor said
The Language Centre will comprise of a virtual classroom, acoustic sound room, general learning areas as well as a staff room. The Centre will focus on languages relevant to Australia's key regional neighbours, including Korean.
"With the strong growth predicted in the Gladstone area it is extremely important that we invest now to ensure our local schools are properly resourced.
"Its no secret that good school facilities will help attract families to the area and this new Language Centre will go a long way in ensuring that Gladstone maintains its reputation as a great place to work and raise a family," Mr Trevor said.
Major construction and refurbishment projects worth over $45 million are currently rolling out across schools in the Gladstone Region as a result of the Rudd Government's historic Building the Education Revolution.
"Our local community, Principals P&F and P&C associations have all been working hard to help build these facilities for our kids and to keep the building and construction industry healthy and I would like to thank them all for their efforts.
"I would also like to encourage local builders and tradespeople to be a part of this Education Revolution and further information is available by contacting the Department of Public Works on 1800 617 198," Mr Trevor said.