New Padua buildings opened

Published: 10 July 2011
By: Robin Williams

Blessed day: Franciscan Friar Paul Smith blessing of new and refurbished facilities

FRANCISCAN Friars were joined by politicians for the opening of a $2million project at Padua College, Kedron last month.

Friar Paul Smith, provincial of the Franciscan Friars Holy Spirit province of Australia-New Zealand joined Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan for the opening and official blessing on June 10.

Padua College rector Robert Out said the building, funded by a Federal Government Building the Education Revolution (BER) grant, saw the refurbishment of an existing east campus building and a new level added as well as a second two-level building also completely refurbished.

He said a new shade structure linking the two buildings was also completed providing the eastern campus with an undercover venue for assemblies and areas for staff and students to congregate.

Mr Out said during the mid 1960s that same site, although bare ground, had been a hive of activity.

"Students developed fine motor skills, learned important socialisation techniques, practised simple spacial mathematics and learned the rudimentary principals of economics," he said.

"In short they played marbles."

Mr Out said the eastern campus work had been part of Padua's planning for some time.

"The refurbishment and building was part of an overall plan of Padua College which would have taken place over a number of years, but the allocation of BER funds allowed the plan to be brought forward and enabled the college to complete its building projects on the eastern campus," he said.

He said although the global financial crisis was unfortunate it was opportune for Padua College that the Australian Government responded to the crisis by including funding for education through the BER in its stimulus strategy.

Mr Out said without the BER grant Padua College would not have the new and refurbished facilities and thanked the government for the decision.