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ARMIDALE'S Minimbah Primary School officially unveiled their new multi-purpose hall at a ceremony on Friday.
The Australian Government donated $1.475 million towards the facility which was named in honour of the school's founder Dianne Roberts.
New England MP and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce officially opened the hall and said it was an honour to attend such an important occasion in the school's history.
"To be here today on a day like this is great," he said.
"It might be April 1 but it certainly is not foolish.
"This is a great day and a great gain for the community.
"It is great to see all the people who have done so much work over so many years.
"Students and the whole school community will benefit from using the new facilities.
"Sport is about improvement, strategy and fair play.
"The lessons learnt on the basketball court, netball court, running track or swimming pool are lessons for life."
Armidale contractors JNC group completed the gymnasium and donated a further $97,000 of construction to complete the new car park, line marking inside the hall and general earthworks.
JNC's Jeremy Blanch said it was a great achievement for the local school to have a state-of-the-art facility to use.
"Education for our young people us the key to ensuring that they become leaders and examples to their community," he said.
"Minimbah is doing a great job here in Armidale."
Future improvements to the hall will include the addition of bathrooms and wash facilities.