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Children’s Centre Unites CommunityBass Coast Shire Council says the community deserves to be congratulated on the opening of the new Children’s Centre, located on the Wonthaggi Primary School site. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 10th October 2008 - Back to News Kindergarten sessions started in the new premises on Monday 6 October 2008. The building will be officially opened by Maxine Morand MP, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, on Tuesday 14 October 2008 at 2.30pm.
Council’s Community Services Manager, Liz Wright, said the completion of Stage One of the Centre was a major achievement for the local community.
"The local community has been very passionate about wanting to improve facilities for children in the region and it is wonderful to see that vision being realised," said Ms Wright.
"Council worked closely with the Primary School and the Kindergarten committee to see the Centre come about.
"This project is a great example of a community-driven partnership," continued Ms Wright.
"Local families will now have access to a state-of-the-art facility with landscaped playgrounds and specially designed play spaces."
Ms Wright said that seven years of discussions and negotiation had gone into securing the Children’s Hub.
"The process to relocate the Kindergarten from Murray Street to a permanent and more suitable site has been a long one," Ms Wright said.
"Our attempts to secure funding from the State or Federal Government were not successful, but the community were unwaivering in their commitment to see this project come to fruition.
"Council contributed $558,000 over two financial years and the Primary School and Kindergarten contributed $7,000 and $10,000 respectively," explained Ms Wright.
"In addition, there have been many hours of hard work and involvement from teachers, parents, local businesses and the community."
Ms Wright said the process of securing agreements between Council, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the School Council and the Kindergarten Committee was protracted.
"These agreements set out the ongoing responsibilities of all the parties involved in terms of the operation and maintenance of the Children’s Centre," said Ms Wright.
"They had to be developed and agreed to by everyone involved and that sort of process takes time, and a lot of patience and cooperation."
The successful completion of the Kindergarten element of the Wonthaggi Children’s Centre marks the end of Stage One.
Work is already underway on Stage Two of the project.
"There will be extensive consultation with the community as plans are developed for Stage Two," assured Ms Wright.
"We have to ensure that the buildings designed, and the programs located at this site, meet the changing needs of families and children in Bass Coast.
"The Plans will also have to be consistent with government guidelines regarding integrated children’s facilities."
It is hoped the Centre will eventually include a room for out of school hours care, vacation care and a consulting room for early childhood specialists.
Ms Wright said Council would be looking to other levels of Government for funding for the remainder of the project.
"This community has certainly shown that they are prepared to fight for what they believe in and that they are fully commited to providing quality facilities for our children," said Ms Wright.
"Both the State and Federal Government do have funding available for these kinds of projects.
"We have already submitted expressions of interest to the State Government for capital funding in future rounds of their funding programs.
"We will also pursue partnership money from the Federal Government."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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