They promised a loud and proud rally, and the crowd protesting the closure of Moora Residential College delivered.
Despite a strong police presence on St George's Terrace, hundreds of students, friends, family and supporters descended on the streets of the Perth CBD on Tuesday morning, holding signs declaring "regional students matter", "cut our education = cut our futures" and "budget bulldust: save Moora College".
A truck convoy also rolled into town on at 10am, and their presence was soon heard all over the city.
The truck, emblazoned with the slogans "Save Moora College" and "Save Moora", travelled over the causeway and up St Georges Terrace and brought traffic to a halt.
The crowd arrived at the steps of Parliament House at 11.30am, and are currently waiting for Education Minister Sue Ellery to speak.
Despite the massive turnout, it's understood the state government is expected to double down on the decision to close the facility, but emphasise their commitment to working with the 27 students affected by the closure.
Leader of the truck convoy Noel Smith, otherwise known as Black Power, told 6PR's Jane Marwick on Monday he was happy to lend his support to the cause.
"We live in the bush," he said.
"We're going to go and help them support our school."
A report on the operation of the facility is set to be tabled in parliament later this afternoon.
It's the second time in a month the state government has been forced to justify its decision to protesters, after the Country Women's Association members hosted a protest about education cuts in regional WA.
Hundreds of people marched to parliament last month and held up signs against the closure of some rural education services, in what was the first rally in the CWA's 94-year history.
CWA state president Heather Allen said the government should reverse all the cuts to education and leave the state's agricultural colleges alone.
Ms Allen said the cuts came at a time when people were starting to understand the importance of agriculture, food production and "the whole paddock to plate delivery".
"Agriculture is crucial to WA's economy," she told the crowd.
She offered the accounting skills of CWA members, who have run the finances of WA farms for generations, to the premier to help fix the state's budget.
Mr McGowan said it was a "wonderful idea" but did not back away from the controversial measures, including closing Moora residential college.
If it goes ahead, the college will be closed at the end of the year.
This story first appeared on WAToday.
