Leader of the Opposition and Federal Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten, along with Victorian State Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll, today visited St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School in Airport West to congratulate retiring principal Garry Trainor on an exemplary career.

Garry Trainor has been a principal for 25 years, firstly at Spotswood and then for the past 15 years at St Christopher’s.

Mr Trainor has five sons who were educated locally at St Bernard’s College in Essendon. Education is a passion shared by Garry’s wife Jenny who is also a teacher.

“I appreciated the essential role played by Australian teachers long before I served as Federal Education Minister. My Mother Ann completed a PhD in Education and instilled in me the value of learning and teaching,” Mr Shorten said.

“She taught me that the value of teachers cannot by overestimated: that we ask a lot of teachers and that they give a lot back.

“I congratulate Garry on his many years of service and I thank him for his dedication and passion in helping to educate a generation of students”.

“I am sure Garry has fostered significant change throughout his period at St Christopher’s, including the upgrades made possible due to $3.2 million  in Building the Education Revolution funding for upgrades of the sports oval and construction of a multi-purpose hall,” Mr Shorten said

State Member for Niddire Ben Carroll is a proud alumni of St Christopher’s.

"I was taught by Garry's sister Margret Trainor in grade prep at St Christopher's in 1980 so I've experienced first-hand the Trainor family passion for quality education." Mr Carroll said

"Garry is a first class educator who has left an indelible mark at St Christopher's. I congratulate him on all he has achieved at St Christopher's and especially thank him for his generosity toward me following my election in March 2012."

ENDS

Contact Bill Shorten MP: Kieran Barns-Jenkins 9326 1300 / 0421 838 878

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