Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Gumnuts Early Learning Centre

Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (09:46): Sale’s newest kinder building is at Gumnuts Early Learning Centre, and I was there to see as the finishing touches were being made. I am proud to update the house that the modular kinder is open and catering for Sale and district kinder kids as we speak. Gumnuts received $1.5 million from the Victorian Building Blocks capacity grant for a modular kindergarten room that will provide an additional 66 three- and four-year-old kinder spots that are free as part of the Victorian government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms. Centre manager Brendon, the volunteer committee and the team of close to 50 educators have done an amazing job providing quality education in Sale, and the expansion is testament to their tireless work on behalf of the community and the next generation.

Gumnuts has no plans of slowing down. They have already begun planning the next expansion and upgrade of their facilities because they recognise how important it is to keep investing in early education, and so do we. Gumnuts encourages relationships between families and the wider community so every young family can feel supported as parents, including the local Victorian Aboriginal community-controlled health service Ramahyuck. The Best Start, Best Life reform is setting our kids up for life and is a massive investment in the future of our state. This government, led by Minister Stitt, recognised the critical role early education plays in children’s development, and I am proud of the work that has already been done in this area. Sale joins other towns in Eastern Victoria who have had an investment from the state government, including Yarram, Foster, Leongatha, Korumburra, Lakes Entrance, Tootgarook and Mornington.