Advocacy group Every Child is taking a giant shovel to community events as a symbol of the community’s determination to get a new Warrnambool Special Developmental school built.

They are asking people to sign the shovel and show their commitment for a new, bigger school to be built. 

The school was built in 1992 with 30 students.

Now the school has 133 pupils and has outgrown its current Hyland Street site. 

A plot of land has been purchased on Wollaston Road for a new school to built, however there has not been a funding commitment from the state government

Every Child is lobbying the state government for cash in the 2018 budget to build the larger school.

Mayor Robert Anderson has signed the giant shovel and said the school needs to be built.

“The council and councillors are right behind the SDS,” Cr Anderson said.

“Our council is an advocate for the special developmental school to get up and running.” 

Every Child spokeswoman Emily Reeves said the shovel had been signed by hundreds of people already.

“The Warrnambool City Council support makes a very good statement,” she said.

“We have almost filled the front of the shovel and and we will flip it over and start on the back. We want to show the government our whole community is behind these kids.

“The shovel in itself is a statement for children, school staff and their families.” 

She said the shovel was made by a parent of a student at the school. 

“We believe every child deserves the brightest future possible, and that starts with a great education,” she said.

“We are thrilled to have the mayor sign the shovel.”

Anyone wanting to show their support can upload a photo of themselves with a shovel to the Every Child Facebook page.