Schools score fund boost

Derby District High School was the region’s big winner in the McGowan Government’s $200 million giveaway to every public campus across WA.

The State Government recently announced all 789 faculties would receive the maintenance and upgrade funding, including $35 million for urgent minor works and the remainder for major improvements.

DDHS would take the biggest slice in the Kimberley, with $1.1 million allocated for refurbishments.

Associate principal Hilary Carruthers said the school was not yet aware exactly how the money would be spent, but it was in dire need of attention.

“We are very excited by this announcement as we have been awaiting funds for a long time,” she said.

“It is quite an old school with many facilities that need improvements and I am confident that completing fencing around the grounds would be a high priority of the major and minor capital works.”

Treasurer Ben Wyatt said the Government was committed to ensuring the works would be carried out by local builders.

“This is a great investment because what it enables the principal to do is give a lot of those contracts to local tradies here in Derby,” he said. “That is the intent of this to enable principals in particular to award local contracts, wherever they may be, to really stimulate some activity in local communities.”

Ms Carruthers said it was important local businesses would be engaged for the upgrades.

Cable Beach Primary School is also set to receive a significant chunk of the funds, with $952,000 committed.

A total of $730,000 has also been touted for Wyndham District High School in the East Kimberley.

There is also $377,000 in funding for La Grange Remote Community School in Bidyadanga, 190km south of Broome, and $264,000 to Broome Senior High School.

Remaining schools include Dawul RCS ($333,000), Bayulu RCS ($291,000), Kununurra DHS ($250,000), One Arm Point RCS ($156,000) Looma RCS ($142,000), Broome Primary ($123,000), Halls Creek DHS ($116,000), Roebuck Primary ($62,400), Fitzroy Valley DHS (59,000), Kalumburu RCS ($58,000), Djugerari RCS ($56,000), Kimberley School of the Air ($31,200) and Broome North Primary ($7800).