WHEN seven-year-old Will Miller heard the Discovery Science and Technology Centre was closing, there was only one thing to do.
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He grabbed a pen and some paper and started a petition to the City of Greater Bendigo telling them how much he and his Big Hill Primary School classmates like the centre.
The Grade 2 student brought a desk out to the schoolyard at recess and lunch, where students lined up to put their names to his petition.
By the weekend, he had 180 signatures.
Will said he expected to get a few friends to sign it, but ended up with almost the entire school.
"I said, 'It's like a bad dream' when I heard it's closing," he said.
The Big Hill Primary School council put their support behind his effort and attached a letter to the front.
Will also added his own handwritten letter explaining his reasons for wanting to save Discovery.
"We really like the Discovery centre because you get to learn new things," he wrote.
"Kids really like it and they are sad that it is closing, there are cool machines so don't let the Discovery centre close.
"Grade 2s at Big Hill Primary School want to go to their sleepover in November."
The sleepover wouldn't be the first time he had visited Discovery. Will held his birthday party there last year with 15 friends.
Mum Melissa Miller said Will had always had an interest in science.
"He was a bit upset when I told him the Discovery centre was closing down," she said.
"He said he wanted to write a letter so he went to each class and talked about the closure."
The Discovery centre is due to close on July 12 unless a new management arrangement can be organised.
A public meeting will be held at the centre at 12pm on Tuesday to discuss its future.
The council has set a target of 500 new paid Discovery members to raise a further $50,000.
Will said he wants to hand in his petition this week.
"I just want to do my bit," he said.