Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): Last week I joined the staff and students at Croxton Special School to celebrate the opening of their brand-new facilities. Croxton is one of those schools where the moment you walk through the gates you instantly feel like you are part of a family. Warmth emanates from the community there, a community in which students with an intellectual disability are valued and encouraged to achieve. I joined the Minister for Education for a morning with some very precious moments. Not only did we tour the new building but we were treated to a perfectly made cappuccino in the new kitchen from student and barista extraordinaire Nick V. We had a lovely chat with students Nico D, Olivia C, Stella K and Aicha A, who were very happy with their new classrooms. We also asked Peter Dwyer, husband of the late Judy Dwyer, a former teacher at Croxton, to say a few words. Judy dedicated 24 years to Croxton. She knew these kids have many challenges in their lives, and she was determined to see them get a leg up. Even through rounds of chemo Judy would find moments of strength by sharing a thought about these children. Judy recently lost her battle with cancer. In her memory, Peter told us he would donate funds to create a permaculture food forest—a garden and outdoor learning space—to help students to eat well, to grow food and, for some, to create a pathway to a job. Peter also told us there was a shortfall so the project could not quite get off the ground. What Peter did not know was that my office had secretly been in touch with the Minister for Education and hatched a plan. The highlight of the morning was standing with the minister as we told Peter we had found the extra $10 000 to make the food forest come to life right away—a moment that will stay with me for a very long time.
