Amsleigh Park Primary honours volunteer

A primary school in Melbourne’s east has honoured its longest serving community volunteer at the official opening ceremony of its new $2.5 million multipurpose centre.

The ceremony, at Amsleigh Park Primary School in Oakleigh East, recognised the hard work of ex-student and long-time school volunteer, Thelma Bailey, by naming the new facility in her honour.

Mrs Bailey is a long standing, prominent and loyal member of the Amsleigh Park Primary School family. She commenced her primary school education at the school in 1936.

She said she was touched by the gesture.

“It’s a great honour and a thrill. The facility is going to make a big, big difference to the children,” she said.

Mrs Bailey spends at least three days a week at the school volunteering and helping students.

Year 6 student, Carey Tsiaves, was delighted to name the centre after Thelma.

“She has been a part of Amsleigh Park for a long time. I think it’s good we named it after Thelma, because she is such a good person.”

The Thelma Bailey Learning and Sporting Centre is a multipurpose centre funded under the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution program. It was opened by Federal Member for Chisholm, Anna Burke, on 4 June 2010.

The new facility will enable the school to better cater for large gatherings such as school assemblies. It will also allow physical education classes to be held inside in wet weather.

School Council President, Susan Hughes, described the new 21st Century multipurpose centre as a dream come true for students, staff and the local community.

“It’s made a real difference already and will continue to make one,” she said.

The school has opened up the facility for community use, with a number of local community groups including a calisthenics club using it after school hours.

Amsleigh Park Primary School has also received Building the Education Revolution funding for minor works including refurbishments to the existing library and classrooms.

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