Deputy Premier and Minister for Education James Merlino was full of praise for Yarrawonga College P-12 when he made a whistle stop tour of the middle years and senior campuses last Wednesday. The Minister, accompanied by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy, was given a tour of the campuses by College Principal Kim Stewart who spoke with Minister Merlino on the colleges programs, current facilities and future plans. Both Minister Merlino and Ms Symes expressed their admiration for the programs, students and teachers of the college, and the great work being done to ensure that the students of YC P-12 enjoy an excellent education, Ms Stewart said. The Minister was very positive and complimentary about our Years 5-8 campus, and commended YCP-12s School Council for their vision and courage in using the colleges own funds to create a Middle Years Campus, and in doing so build the impetus for further development of the Gilmore Street site. Both guests were eager to learn about the progress of development of the P-4 stage of learning at the Gilmore Street site and were hopeful that building could be completed in time for the 2017 school year. They were also very interested in our long term vision of a P-12 school located at Gilmore Street, with the Pinniger Street site becoming a community learning hub for Yarrawonga and the surrounding districts. During their visit, Minister Merlino, Ms Symes and Mr McCurdy visited the award winning Community Workshop area. They experienced firsthand some of the amazing work of teacher Michelle Klowss, our 54 community volunteers and the large number of students, who work together on a huge range of creative and design-focused projects from weaving and knitting to ceramics, mosaics and model building, Ms Stewart said. While Ms Symes was keen to return for a lesson in weaving from the students, Minister Merlino was intrigued by the greenhouse being constructed from recycled bottles. Minister Merlino spoke with the Yarrawonga Chronicle after his visit saying he was very impressed by what the school community has achieved off its own back. The volunteer program is incredible and I enjoyed visiting with all the students. I visit hundreds of schools during the year and can quickly get a sense of the character of each school. Yarrawonga College P-12 has a great feeling about it with a tremendous sense of community.