My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, James Merlino, and it is in relation to the Portland National School building, which is located on the Portland Primary School site. It is of architectural significance as one of only around 23 surviving examples of early National School buildings constructed in Victoria between 1851 and 1862 and as one of the earliest surviving examples of the work of local architect John Barrow.
Its unfinished plan was typical of national schools of that period. The former Portland National School is the oldest surviving government school building in Portland and dates from the earliest colonial settlement in Victoria. Hence, we have one of the earliest surviving schools in Victoria.
It has been in disrepair for many years, and there is a need for urgent attention. This is a building that has considerable heritage significance, and I request that the minister take action to assess the building and that options to be developed so the building can be preserved and fully utilised.