School wins most votes
Warragul North Primary School has been the big winner from the state government’s Pick My Project initiative, receiving $100,000 for two projects to upgrade the school’s play spaces.
Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief was the other local recipient, receiving $48,500 to create extra storage and a private room for counselling by building a mezzanine floor.
The need for food relief has been growing in Baw Baw Shire, with more than 700 families assisted in 2017. It is anticipated that more than 800 families will be assisted this year.
Through the state government’s $30 million Pick My Project initiative, Victorian residents aged 16 and over were given the opportunity to submit their idea for a project or program that made their community a better place to live.
People were then given the chance to vote for their favourite project.
To ensure a range of small and large communities had the opportunity to be part of Pick My Project, no more than 50 per cent of a partnership areas funding was awarded to one local government area.
The Warragul North Primary School will spend $60,000 on its Marble Alley redevelopment, which will see a 50-year-old play space rejuvenated. The remaining $40,000 will be spent on resurfacing of the school’s playground to improve safety.
The school has more than 600 students from about 400 families, many of whom utilise the playground both inside and outside of school hours.
With its playground equipment ageing and needing attention, the projects will bring the equipment up to safety standards and upgrade its surrounds.
It is understood that Warragul Primary School’s bid to resurface its own playground fell short by about 20 votes.
The projects have already been partially funded, with the $100,000 from the state government to guarantee its completion.
More than 95,000 Victorians cast votes for more than 230 projects, with 23 projects in Gippsland successful in obtaining funding.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the Pick My Project initiative had seen a massive response from the community.
“I’m absolutely delighted that the funded initiatives will deliver such diverse, inclusive and grass-roots benefits right across our region,” she said.
“Pick My Project will make a real difference in Gippsland and right across the state – and the process of giving locals the power to choose the projects their communities need has been incredibly positive.”
Poowong Pre-School is hoping to attract a large crowd for its 50th anniversary celebrations later this month.
Event organiser Jenny Watson said all current and past students, parents, family members, teachers and other people who had been involved with the kinder were welcome to attend the event to be held at Poowong Consolidated School on Sunday, October 28.
“A lot of people have left the district,” she said.
“We haven’t caught up with all of them, but we’ve caught up with a large number.
“If people could spread the word, it would be appreciated.”
The event will begin at 1.30pm and conclude at 3.30pm.
Afternoon tea will be served, and guests will be able to admire works from current kinder students. Memorabilia will also be on display. “It will be fairly low key,” Jenny said. “We’ve got photos of the majority of kinder groups for a rolling slideshow, and we will have video of a current kinder session.
“It’s mainly about people getting together and catching up.”
Jenny said volunteers to help with preparations would also be appreciated.
For more information, phone Jenny on 5659 2325 or Lisa Bodman on 5659 2367.