John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The government's Stronger Community Partnership Grants have provided $300,000 over two years to every electorate in the country. In Bennelong, I assembled a local infrastructure committee to ensure these grants go where they can do the most good for our community. Perhaps no grant has exemplified this more than the $20,000 we have provided for the installation of a wheelchair ramp at the excellent Karonga School in Epping.

Karonga offers education programs for students with special needs, from the early years through to the end of high school, caring for every part of the students' development. Physical activity is a very important part of this. They have a fully equipped playground for people with disabilities, but the sports fields and the tennis courts were out of bounds for many because of the lack of a wheelchair ramp. This prevented many students from accessing the sporting facilities, which I believe are essential to young minds and bodies.

As a result of the Stronger Community Partnership Grant and some great leaders at the school, this ramp will now be provided, and these students will have full access to the sports facilities of the school. I would like to thank the principal, Mark Gosbell, and everyone involved for making this ramp a reality.

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