Kinder’s big bash for cash

By Tania Martin
GEMBROOK Preschool is calling for locals to get involved in a big bash to help raise cash for the centre after its funding was cut.
The kinder has now joined forces with the town’s primary school to hold a fete in October in a bid to cover the costs of the cuts.
Preschool committee president Tracey Russell said the school has lost more than $15,000 this year following a State Government move to realign regional and rural boundaries. She said up until July last year the preschool had been classified as rural for its funding, but that had now all changed.
Ms Russell said the kinder met two of three rural funding criteria.
It is the only pre-school in the town and has less than 40 students, but a realignment of boundaries has put it in the regional category.
“We are just on the wrong side of the map,” Ms Russell said.
A State Government spokesman said the change had been the result of council amalgamations more than 10 years ago.
He said the move had changed many rural communities into regional areas.
The spokesman said to ensure preschools within these boundaries were not immediately impacted, the Education Department agreed to provide funding above the standard rate, subject to a yearly review. However in 2008, following a review, kindergartens were told from January this year the funding would transition to the standard rate.
“This gave services almost two years to plan for the final change,” the spokesman said. “All kindergartens in Cardinia Shire, which is part of metropolitan Melbourne, have made the transition to the standard rate of funding.”
Ms Russell said the school now had less money available to run its programs, and less for equipment upgrades.
She said this meant taking more money from parents for fees.
But Ms Russell said the primary school had stepped into the void to help run a fete to raise the cash. The primary school will also use the event to raise funds for its ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
Principal Kym Patterson said the school was keen to help all families in the community.
She said it would also be a great family day out. Plans are underway for the day with market stalls, a sausage sizzle, showbags and heaps of entertainment on offer. Anyone wishing to donate raffle and spinning wheel prizes, or have a stall, contact Gembrook Primary School on 5968 1313.