Victorian Labor will re-open Swinburne Lilydale but we need your help. Find out what you can do.

The Liberal government is at it again. Members may remember the Baillieu Knight Frank advertisements, selling off a massive number of schools and ripping away educational opportunities for families and communities but making a fortune for everyone involved in the sell-off.

State Member for Monbulk, James Merlino is today calling on local motorists to nominate roads that have become dangerous, fallen into disrepair and need fixing on www.FixOurRoads.com.au .

There are people we meet who quietly yet powerfully leave an indelible mark. I want to pay tribute to such a person in my community, Ken Dowling. Ken passed away last month after a long battle with cancer. I have known Ken and his partner, Chris, for many years, and worked with Ken in his capacity of the driver, the champion and ultimately the deliverer of the magnificent redevelopment of Montrose Recreation Reserve.

James Merlino, Member for Monbulk has taken the opportunity to donate a special Christmas hamper to the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Christmas appeal and has today urged everyone to get involved and help those in need.

Victorian Labor today released Project 10,000 – a transport alternative to the $8 billion East West tunnel that will transform public transport, remove the worst traffic bottlenecks, boost economic growth and create ten thousand jobs.

Monbulk Main Street Late Night Shopping Event Friday 29th November 2013 5pm – 9pm http://www.monbulkbusinessnetwork.com.au/

I grieve for Victorians. I grieve that Victorians are subject to the dysfunctional circus that is this government. Almost three years ago Victorians went to the polls. They elected a government which pledged that accountability and transparency would be its principles, and they elected a Premier who promised 'no spin and no secrecy'.

On 7 September Montrose Football Club, the Demons, achieved its long-held dream of victory in division 2 of the Eastern Football League (EFL) grand final. The victory secures the club its rightful place in the best metropolitan footy competition in Australia: division 1 EFL. This was the team's third grand final appearance in a row. After two heartbreaking losses, the club was determined not to let this opportunity slip.

Well done to the members of the Wandin junior footy club under-14s on their premiership victory. Led by young stars Joel Garner, Corey Whitchell, Matthew Brierley, Jackson Byrne, Luke Smith and Tom Merlino -- my nephew and best on ground -- the club defeated a brave South Belgrave.

Close to 3000 people have put their name on a petition protesting against the planned sell off of Swinburne’s Lilydale Campus, Shadow Education Minister and Member for Monbulk James Merlino said.

Vision Australia has announced it will close all Vision Australia Enterprises units in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The closures leave more than 70 vision-impaired workers without jobs.

To celebrate the National Year of Reading in 2012 Burrinja Cultural Centre and Eastern Regional Libraries partnered to bring to the wider region’s community Fashion meets Fiction, an exciting and innovative exhibition concept that brought together the love of popular fiction and its many famous colourful characters with the cultural trend towards high-end fashion, and particularly period pieces, in a quality art-museum context.

The Napthine Government’s move to privatise aged care facilities could mean the selling off Edward Street Nursing Home in Upper Ferntree Gully, Shadow Minister for Seniors and Ageing Jenny Mikakos said today.

The Napthine Government’s move to privatise aged care facilities could mean the selling off Edward Street Nursing Home in Upper Ferntree Gully, Shadow Minister for Seniors and Ageing Jenny Mikakos said today.

The Napthine Government’s announcement of yet another feasibility study will not reopen the gates to Swinburne’s Lilydale campus and will do nothing for the students who had to find another place to study, Shadow Education Minister and Member for Monbulk James Merlino said today.

I congratulate all the students who recently participated in the School Sport Victoria eastern metropolitan sports region cross-country finals. From the Dandenong Ranges there were about 80 students from 28 schools.

Volleyball is a particularly strong sport in my region. I want to congratulate two local girls, Kelly Lean and Alison Youlten. They have known each other since attending Selby Primary School together, and they remain great friends. Both have made the under-19 Victorian volleyball teams and will play in the national championships in Canberra next month, and both are captaining their respective teams.