Loddon kindergartens’ pre-prep reform date set

LODDON’S five kindergartens will be second cab off the rank in the State Government’s rollout of its pre-prep program.

Neighbouring Gannawarra has been announced as one of six municipalities to have the program of 30 hours each week of teacher-led play-based learning in 2025.

Local kindergartens at Boort, Pyramid Hill, Inglewood, Dingee and Wedderburn have been announced for the second year of the roll-out.

Country communities will have the pre-prep program before most metropolitan areas.

The Government has said preprep could also be rolled out at long daycare centres.

Loddon is also slated to have a co-located child care centre in 2026, again in the second tranche of a State Government commitment to open 50 centres across the state in areas with the greatest unmet demand and informed by the “child care deserts” work from the Mitchell Institute.

Loddon Shire is the only municipality in Victoria without child care according to the Mitchell Institute.

Wedderburn and Loddon communities have been campaigning for two years to address the child care crisis.

During last year’s election campaign, then Ripon MP Louise Staley pledged to use part of the $12.9 million budget allocated for Wedderburn College upgrade for a co-located centre.

Police warning on fire bans

POLICE have warned Loddon residents to observe restrictions after a fire in Inglewood last week.

They are investigating the fire that was attended by Inglewood and Bridgewater brigades last Wednesday.

Police allege a bonfire “with assorted rubbish from dry tree cuttings, dry grass and other assorted rubbish such as a mattress and tin cans” was lit during a fire danger operiod.

Meanwhile, high temperatures saw 18 units attend a grass fire at Yeungroon on Australia Day. They were supported by the air chopper that has been based at Boort since before Christmas.

Fire restrictions have been in force across the Loddon since early December.

The re-elected Government has said there will be consultation on the location of the Loddon Shire’s co-located child care centre.

No announcement has been made on the process for selection of a location.

The Government said its rollout of pre-prep was similar to the introduction three-year-old Kindergarten, “allowing enough time to develop a strong, skilled workforce and deliver the infrastructure required to support this uplift in service delivery”.

Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt said: “Pre-prep programs will be delivered through sessional kindergartens and long day-care centres, creating a high-quality, universal program that gives four-year-old children greater opportunities to socialise, learn through play and best prepare them for their formal educational journey.

“Early education has the most profound impact on a child’s development – that’s why we’re delivering free kinder for three and four-year-olds, establishing pre-prep, and upgrading or providing new equipment to every kinder to make sure kids have everything they need to get the best start.

“First, three-year-old kinder and free kinder, and now PrePrep – these once-in-a-generation reforms will not just give our kids a quality early education, they will also give them the best start to their whole lives,” Ms Stitt said.

Thieves target small business

THE alleged theft of power tools worth more than $40,000 overnight Monday is being investigated by police.

The tools were reported taken from a truck owned by AgriFab’s Tim Heather, parked in a locked shed near Tarnagulla.

The young businessman was devastated that equipment and tools used to repair farm machinery across the Loddon had been stolen.

Kevin proudly joins club Australia

DINGEE’S Kevin O’Hara proudly dressed in the Australian version of red, white and blue when he became an Australian citizen last week.

Sporting an Australian flag T-shirt, Kevin was presented with his certificate by Loddon Mayor Dan Straub during the ceremony in Wedderburn.

“I knocked off about 7.30 Monday night and locked the truck away. I was about to head off to a job 12 hours later on Tuesday morning and checked I had all the gear needed, only to discover the truck had been stripped,” he said.

He has reported the incident to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tarnagulla police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Mr O’Hara, who came to Australia from Britain in 1967 as a 22-year-old, was later congratulated by family and friends who witnessed the ceremony in the council chambers.

An avid musician, Mr O’Hara said he “enjoys the atmosphere of the Loddon Shire and is proud to finally be an Australian citizen”.

It’s important to be aware of mosquitoborne illnesses like the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Ross River virus (RRV). These viruses are transmitted by mosquitos and can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea joint pain and fatigue. MVE and RRV virus have been detected in mosquitoes trapped at multiple locations across the Shire. If you’re attending outdoor events, please remember to remain vigilant by protecting yourself from mosquito bites. The best way to avoid being bitten is to cover up – wear long, loose- tting clothing. Use mosquito repellents containing Picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin; and limit your time outdoors if lots of mosquitoes are about.

For more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov. au/protect-yourself-mosquito-bornedisease

Flood relief and recovery grants

One-o $5000 grants are available under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program, to provide immediate support.

Applications for these grants close on Tuesday 7 February 2023. Further funding is available to eligible applicants under the Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants program. Flood Recovery Grants provide up to $50,000(excl. GST) to help cover eligible expenses incurred from direct damage due to ooding. Funding received under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program will be included in the total grant amount.

Applications for these grants close on 1 May 2023, applicants must have been successful for the $5000 one-o grant before applying for the $50,000 grant.

Please note, receiving a Small Business Immediate Flood Relief grant doesn’t automatically guarantee eligibility for a Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grant. Businesses and organisations that received a $5000 grant will be provided with information about eligibility and how to apply.

Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program https://business.vic.gov.au/ grants-and-programs/small-businessimmediate- ood-relief-program Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program https://sport. vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/ourgrants/Community-Sport-EmergencyFlood-Assistance-Program