Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (13:29): Port Fairy families have been struggling to find childcare coverage, particularly in the baby age group, and with free three-year-old kinder and free four-year-old kinder there has been some alleviation in that age group. That is why last week I was absolutely delighted to announce 26 recipients of Tiny Towns grants across western Victoria. One of those grants was the Port Fairy community centre in Moyne shire, which received $42,000 to create an additional baby room for the existing childcare centre by converting an office space to a baby room. This will include the fit-out of an existing room and outdoor play space. These works will enable an additional 35 childcare spaces per week. I visited the centre with Moyne shire mayor Jordan Lockett and Cr Myra Murrihy to announce the grant. Director of corporate and governance services Symonne Robinson was very happy that these new places would help get parents back to work and described it as a massive win for the community. I want to congratulate Moyne Shire Council, who have clearly got their finger on the pulse of the needs of the Port Fairy community, and all of the staff who put the application together, and I wish them all the best as they do the renovations.