The Katoomba High School community greeted Premier Chris Minns today as he officially unveiled a commemorative plaque at the new multi-purpose facility. It was fulfilling a promise he made in the lead-up to the 2023 State Election.
The estimated $4million facility, which has been in use since the school’s presentation evening last December, is a purpose-built space to play sport, put on theatrical performances, and for whole-of-school assemblies.
A busy schedule had prevented the Premier from seeing the new build in person - until this month.
After morning tea with students and incoming 2026 prefects, as well as the Katoomba High School principal Tess Devine, P and C members, and local MP Trish Doyle, he watched on as Year 7 students played a range of games, including volleyball as part of their regular PE lessons in the hall.
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said:
“It was fantastic to be with the Premier and the present and former students of Katoomba High today to see their new modern learning facility open and well in use.
“I can see how this new asset is being used and loved by the students. It was a day that made my heart sing, knowing these students and the ones to come after them, have this terrific place to gather instead of being in an ageing gym with a floor that buckles and a roof that leaks. It just looks beautiful.
It is named Yanguu, meaning ‘today’ in the Gundungurra language.
“I am delighted to be part of the NSW Labor government who have delivered this fit-for-purpose facility for our community.
The new hall project was launched after a 2022 community campaign by Katoomba High School students, who had been unable to use their ageing gymnasium facility and hall. The former hall was too small for netball and basketball games and could not fit all of the school’s students inside for an assembly.
At the time Year 10 students Max Campbell, Ed Bell-Smith and Joe Woodburn asked then Opposition Leader Chris Minns to look at the facilities which were unusable when the weather was inclement. He promised on the spot to build a new hall and sports facility if he won the election. He delivered.
Max, 18, who is now studying politics at Sydney University was pleased to be on site and see the Premier again.
“I thought it was wonderful, it’s a beautiful hall that Katoomba High needs and deserves.”
Max said he was pleased he and his friends had played a role in getting the facility.
“It’s a testament to what student activism can achieve.”
Ed, 19, who is studying economics at Sydney University, added that it “was Trish Doyle’s advocacy that pushed the government to go ahead with it [the hall]”.
The space includes a stage, an indoor sports court, storage and back-of-house facilities for performing arts, along with changerooms and bathrooms. It is also a place for regular sporting games in wet weather.
The facility’s floors have been refinished since the December opening and the Premier was happy to see a markedly improved area, instead of the damaged gym he was shown by the students in August 2022.
Chris Minns, Premier of NSW:
“I remember when the campaign for these upgrades was first launched by students in 2022, who told me their existing gym wasn’t large enough to play netball or basketball or even fit the school assembly.
“It was fantastic to visit today and see this commitment delivered and have a chat with the now former students who secured this long overdue upgrade for their school.”
Principal of Katoomba High School Tess Devine said:
“It was so lovely that the Premier could come back ... it was like full circle. We really appreciated his, and Trish’s support of the school more generally.”
Ms Devine said the students loved the facility.
“The current students just think the facility is amazing. It’s being utilised every day for sport, creative arts and school assemblies.
“It’s impacted the whole-of-school life in a positive way.”
Ms Devine said they also liked how the building fit in with the landscape, having seen other student halls.
“Our building has beautiful blues and greys outside and the wood panelling inside. It’s very Katoomba.”
The upgrade works are part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $8.9 billion investment to continue to deliver a massive pipeline of new and upgraded schools across NSW, after more than a decade of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.
This ongoing investment in local communities will ensure all students can access high-quality schools, no matter their postcode.
Premier Minns also visited the Lithgow region on Friday August 15 to meet with firefighting crews and reveal designs for a new fire station, which will become one of the largest in NSW.
