Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Eden FOSTER (Mulgrave) (10:19): It is with great pride that I rise today to celebrate the official opening of the Ngalambi early learning centre in Noble Park. Just last week I had the pleasure of joining the Minister for Children in the other place to cut the ribbon at this magnificent facility. Ngalambi, with a name that carries deep local significance and means to be at home, is much more than just a building. It is a home for little ones in our community, and it is a promise to the families of Noble Park and the wider Mulgrave community that their children will have the very best start in life.

This centre is a wonderful example of the Allan Labor government’s commitment to early childhood education. We know that the first years of a child’s life are the most critical for development, and by providing free three- and four-year-old kinder we are removing the financial barriers that too often stand in the way of a child’s potential and helping families manage the cost of living while knowing their children are receiving a world-class education. What makes this opening particularly special is its location. Ngalambi is situated right onsite at Harrisfield Primary School, and by co-locating these services we are creating a seamless transition from kinder to prep, and most importantly for our busy local parents, we are making the double drop-off a thing of the past. I want to thank the minister for making the trip to Mulgrave, and I want to thank the educators and staff at Ngalambi, who are already making such a difference.