Recently, asbestos was found in the old boiler room of Timboon P-12 school in Victoria. Lead paint flakes have also been found on window sills around the same school. Approximately five hundred students have not attended school this week as a result of fear of exposure to asbestos. Emergency classes are currently being held at a nearby hospital and community hall.
The local MP, Terry Mulder, has addressed this issue by releasing a public statement two days after the discovery of the asbestos. The brief one page statement reveals that the local MP was aware of the work needed regarding the state of the school. Mulder has asserted that he will continue to work with the Education minister, Martin Dixon, to address the needs of the school and of the community.
Mulder has attempted to alleviate the concerns of locals by stating that a departmental representative has conferred with the school principle. Together, they have discussed the buildings that need to be constructed or amended to meet the school’s educational and safety standards. These discussions will help inform future funding requirements for the school.
Tomorrow night a public meeting will be held in the town’s public hall for the purposes of giving the parents of the school an update on the current situation. Mulden states that “It is unlikely that at that stage we will have a timetable for remediation works completed… This meeting is being called to share information about the current situation and to address school community concerns with regard to the closures.”
Apparently, a separate meeting will be held at the beginning of next term to address the rebuilding of the school. Acting school president Matt Bowker is confident that the school will have access to all classrooms by the beginning of next term.
Students and their families are being assured that they have not been exposed to the asbestos particles. Once inhaled, asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. Unfortunately, mesothelioma in Victoria and asbestosis in Victoria have resulted in many tragic cases. Preventable asbestos exposure is most important.
