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Laureate at the library
Lollypop Creek Primary School librarian Laurie Worsley, school captains Alexis and Lily, and Australian Children’s Laureate Gabrielle Wang at the opening of the new library. (Damjan Janevski). 346905_01
School libraries are crucial to childhood learning and literacy so who better to open a new one than the Australia’s Children’s Laureate? That’s exactly what happened on Friday, July 28 when the current Laureate and acclaimed children’s author, Garbrielle Wang, opened the new library at Werribee’s Lollypop Creek Primary School. Ms Wang’s presence at the opening was especially appropriate as the Laureate has contributed a lot more to the new library than just cutting the ribbon. Thanks to a donation from the Australian Children’s Laurate Foundation and property developer Harpley Lendlease, Ms Wang provided funds to buy books that now fill the new library’s shelves. Ms Wang was joined at the official opening by members of the Children’s Laureate Foundation, Harpley Lendlease staff, teachers, members of the school community and students. Named after the nearby creek, Lollypop Creek is one of the newest schools in Wyndham, having only opened at the beginning of the year. The new library joins a gymnasium, administration building, specialist learning centre and outdoor sports fields among its facilities.
Toilet ban gets the flush Wyndham council has conceded that a law banning non-binary people from using public toilets is not being enforced and will soon be replaced. During questions with notice at a meeting of council on Tuesday, July 25 council chief executive Stephen Wall was asked if section 14.8 of the Community Amenity Local Law 2015 banning people from entering public
toilets reserved for the opposite sex, was still in use. Mr Wall said a review of local laws found section 14.8 was not gender inclusive and may restrict human rights. However, until a new version of the law came into effect, Mr Wall said section 14.8 would remain on the books. “While the current local law is still in use, until the adoption of the new law, this clause has not been and will not be enforced.” Mr Wall said the new draft local law did not
contain any clauses mandating the gendered use of public toilets, but didn’t say when it would come into effect. The Draft Community Amenity Local Law was presented to council in April. Wyndham is one of a number of Victorian councils removing laws which ban non-binary and transgender people from public toilets. Last month, Surf Coast Shire Council adopted changes to its amenity laws allowing people to enter public toilets and other council
facilities regardless of their gender. In response to a follow-up question, Mr Wall said Wyndham had no plans to establish an LGBTQI+ advisory committee to advise council on these matters. He said the Wyndham people’s advisory panel already had the capacity to perform this role. “Panel members are reflective of the diversity of the community. The LGBTQI+ community is represented on this panel,” Mr Wall said.
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By Cade Lucas