The upgrade of the preschool building and surrounding landscapes was made possible by a $200,000 contribution from the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program Funded through the NSW Department of Education, a $100,000 contribution from Federation Council and a $165,000 contribution from the preschool itself via amazing fundraising efforts. The total project value was $465,000.
Federation Council Mayor Patrick Bourke, along with other councillors, was joined by local MP’s Susan Ley and Justin Clancy at the official opening.
“Council was proud to celebrate the Howlong Preschool opening with the Howlong community, and hoped that Howlong’s youngest residents would enjoy the new space for many years to come,” Mayor Bourke said.
“The preschool has been proudly serving the Howlong community and surrounds since 1975, as a community owned Not-For Profit service. The expansion of the preschool now provides a state of the art, two room facility licensed for 40 preschool places, for children aged to 3 -5 years.”
“As a result of various funding partners, and the hard work of the Howlong Preschool Association over many years, they will now enjoy the benefits of this revitalised and extended facility.”
Howlong Preschool Director Olivia-Rose Pepper said the project began in 2012 and is immensely proud of what they’ve achieved thanks to the commitment of the preschool and wider community, Federation Council and the NSW Department of Education.
“After many years of planning, working and hoping our newly renovated and extended preschool is now a reality. Thank you seems inadequate for the amount of time and effort that has been expended. However, on behalf of the children who are currently enrolled and the many children who will pass through these doors in the years to come, I thank all of you who have been responsible for the realisation of this dream,” Ms Pepper said.
“You the community own this wonderful not-for-profit preschool. By working together, we can build the connections that will help children learn, grow and be happy. If we grow together and support this wonderful facility, I believe we can achieve wonderful things.”
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