Construction to begin on new Catholic Primary School at Drouin
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Front row from left: Mrs Sharyn McStay -Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) staff member, Harlow McStay, Hudson McStay, Amelia Bennetto, Isla Thomson, Levi Thomson, Ivy Bennetto, Amelia McGill - St Ita’s Catholic Primary School students, Mrs Sarah Bennetto – DOSCEL staff member.
Middle row from left: Devla Kabas and Mark Kozakiewcz - Y2 Architects, Mr Paul Velten - Executive Director – DOSCEL, The Hon. Martin Dixon – DOSCEL board member, Mr John Swan – DOSCEL board member, Fr Brendan Hogan - Parish Priest, Mrs Cathy Jenkins – DOSCEL Deputy Board Chair, Most Reverend Greg Bennet – Bishop of Sale, Mr Andrew Osler – St Ita’s Catholic Primary School Principal, Mr Dermot Cannon – DOSCEL Chief Planning and Infrastructure Officer, Mr Richard Wans – DOSCEL Chief Leadership and Registration Officer.
Back row from left: Melbcon Constructions – Shannon, Nathan and Harry.
December 2025
Construction to begin on new Catholic Primary School at Drouin
Construction is set to start on the new St Oscar Romero Catholic Primary School to serve the rapidly growing community of Drouin in West Gippsland.
The milestone was marked by the Bishop of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet turning the first sod on the 12-hectare site on the corner of llawarra Boulevard and Weebar Road, Drouin.
He was joined by Fr Brendan Hogan - Parish Priest, and Mr Paul Velten - Executive Director of Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL), along with members of the DOSCEL Board, representatives of the project team, and St Ita’s Catholic Primary School principal and students.
The project will deliver Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the School’s Masterplan. This will include administration facilities, eleven general learning areas, art room and library, outdoor learning areas, staffing facilities, and a multi-purpose space. External works include playgrounds, an oval, covered external hard courts, extensive landscaping, and parking.
The combined cost of the two stages is $26.7million, supported by two $6million grants from the Victorian Government Capital Funding Program (VGCFP) 2023-2027, and loans from the Catholic Development Fund (CDF).
The school is planned to open in 2027 with an initial enrolment of 98 students growing over time to accommodate 300 students.
The name of the school honours the life and mission of Saint Oscar Romero, a former Archbishop of San Salvador, who was assassinated for championing the poor and oppressed. His legacy embodies peace, reconciliation, justice, and mercy.
Mr Paul Velten - Executive Director of Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL), said the new school will meet strong demand for faith-based, modern, and affordable education for families close to home.
“The new St Oscar Romero Catholic Primary School will be the second Catholic primary school in the St Ita’s Drouin Parish, complementing St Ita’s Catholic Primary School, Drouin which has experienced increasing enrolment demand.”
The project is being led by Y2 Architects and Melbcon Constructions.
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