By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Students at Kilberry Valley Primary School have been getting familiar with one of the biggest names in Victorian state politics.
Former state Premier John Cain, 86, last held office in 1990 – making him perhaps unfamiliar to even the students’ parents.
But Mr Cain, joined by Narre Warren South MP Judith Coucaud Graley, has become a frequent recent visitor to the school.
The pair opened the school’s inclusive community centre, and on another occasion, presented Premiers Reading Challenge awards to book-loving students.
The $540,000 State-funded community centre is designed for students with disabilities.
It includes a multi-sensory room, re-engagement and withdrawal spaces and specialist one-on-one resources.
Ms Graley said the centre was vital for giving “that extra support” for students to succeed.
At the reading awards, 190 students were recognised for each imbibing at least 100 books.
After the awards, Mr Cain was interviewed on the school’s television show “Kilberry Live” about the importance of the reading challenge.
Ms Graley said the former state leader was impressed with the students’ passion for reading.
“Each year students at Killberry work so very hard, it will no doubt prepare them for bigger and better things in the future,” she said.
School principal Neil Cunningham said the challenge had got more popular over each of the challenge’s 13 years at the school.
“As a Principal, I am always happy see our students setting and achieving high targets for themselves and witnessing their proud faces upon completion.”
