Politics & Council
10 June, 2026
School decision unfair on town and families
THE announcement that St Mary’s Primary School in Inglewood will close at the end of this year has struck the community deeply.
THE announcement that St Mary’s Primary School in Inglewood will close at the end of this year has struck the community deeply.
Parents, students, staff, past pupils and long‑time supporters were blindsided by a decision that came without warning and without the chance to stand up for a school that has shaped generations.
For more than 160 years, St Mary’s has been a key part of Inglewood. It has nurtured local children not only with education, but with belonging and opportunity.
In small rural towns like Inglewood, schools are far more than classrooms — they are gathering places, support networks and a cornerstone of the town’s identity.
That is why I have written directly to the Sandhurst Catholic Diocese, urging them to reconsider this decision.
The suddenness of the closure has left families shocked and scrambling to understand what comes next.
Parents were given little time, and no real opportunity, to work together on solutions or explore alternatives. Many feel they were denied the chance to fight for a school that has faithfully served this district for well over a century.
The consequences of this closure will reach far beyond the school gates. If St Mary’s shuts its doors, the entire Loddon Shire will be left without a single Catholic primary school.
Families seeking a Catholic education will face long daily commutes to Bendigo or other larger centres — an option that simply isn’t practical for many.
We know what happens when rural communities lose essential services. It becomes harder to attract young families, harder to grow the population, and harder to keep small towns thriving. Schools are central to the long‑term future of rural and regional Victoria.
What makes this decision even more difficult to comprehend is that only a few years ago, confidence in St Mary’s future was clear. In 2022, the State Labor Government invested $445,000 in upgrades to the school — including improvements to the creative arts room, music centre and community meeting space. These upgrades were welcomed as an investment in the next generation of local students.
Rural and regional communities deserve certainty and support — not decisions that leave them feeling abandoned.
I recognise the challenges facing schools across rural and remote communities, including smaller enrolments and workforce pressures. These issues are real. But communities like Inglewood deserve to be part of the conversation. They deserve the chance to explore every possible option before a final decision is made.
Our region has always shown resilience. When challenges arise, we come together, roll up our sleeves and fight for what matters. That is exactly what local families are doing now.
I stand with them.
I will continue to advocate strongly for the families of Inglewood, Bridgewater, Newbridge and surrounding communities, because they deserve to have their voices heard.
St Mary’s has been part of Inglewood’s story for more than 160 years.
This community deserves every opportunity to ensure that story continues.
* Martha Haylett is this member for Ripon
Read More: Loddon Shire, Inglewood