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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
Est. 1864
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2nd 2023.
$2.00
Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.
(Incl. GST)
PrePrep Modular in Market Square causing public dissent
VOICES of dissent are being heard in St. Arnaud with many not happy about the use of the Market Square carpark for the new extension to the preschool for the State Government’s new compulsory three year old kindergarten. Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) (that is Stawell and St. Arnaud) was chosen as one of four shires for the introduction of the Kindergarten for 3 year olds (15 hours) and 4 year olds (30 hours) and as a result St. Arnaud will be having a PrePrep modular building constructed by the State Government. Disagreement started when the location was being decided upon with the State Government having a preference for locating the building with the Primary School. So as to avoid any favouritism for a primary education that this location may encourage, the Council decided to add the location adjacent to the Early Learning Centre (either in the carpark or in the Market Square Gardens). Due community consultation took place and the clear preference was for the modular building to be located within the Market Street carpark.
Cr. Eddy Ostarcevic said that the community stated loud and clear the need to focus on early childcare and learning. “We are also one of four LGAs to receive State Government funding for the 4 year old funding.
‘Heritage’ trees There has been lobbying by some to ensure that no trees are lost in the process of creating additional carparking in the nearby streets, in particular Market and Golden Streets. Deb Jenkins has received a reply from Trenton Fithall Director of Infrastructure and Amenity NGSC, to her request for information or an assurance that the trees will not be lost. Mr Fithall’s response was that none [of the trees] will be removed unless they are ‘unhealthy’.
Relocation of VLine stop At this stage a decision has not been made by NGSC about a relocation
Above: The Market Square carpark was full on Saturday with patrons at the CWA event at the Town Hall. Many are now asking what will be left of the carpark for events at the hall. of the VLine bus stop although NGSC had indicated a preference for Golden Street. C r. O s t a r c e v i c w a s clear that there is another possibility in Napier Street in front of the Town Hall. “But negotiations have
not been finalized and therefore this is still up i n t h e a i r ” s a i d C r. Ostarcevic.
Who pays? The costs involved in the changes involved will be included in the funding from State Government
said Cr Ostarcevic. “ H o w e v e r, n o t s u r e about the bus stop. “But cost will be minimal”. Cr. Ostarcevic continued that there will now be two buildings involved as the numbers of children has increased.
“However, the footprint will be the same, which is that 66 places each requiring 7 square metres of area which equals 462 square metres”. At t h i s s t a g e , i t i s unclear if any other locations will now be considered.
Flying Doctor ferries first patient THE Flying Doctors Community Transport team is excited to announce that the Community Transport service is now up and running in St. Arnaud. Completing their first trip on Wednesday 26th July for two local residents, St. Arnaud Program Coordinator, Helen Rigby, and Program Coordinator Hayley Wallace, accompanied local residents Barb and Brian Kershaw to an appointment in Ararat. The Flying Doctors have been expanding their Community Transport offerings across regional Victoria over the last 18 months and are partnering with East Wimmera Health Service (EWHS) to deliver this service to the local community. The service has been made possible through funding from Western Victoria Primary Health Network and strong local support from St. Arnaud Neighbourhood House and Northern Grampians Shire. “Strong local partnerships and relationships are essential to the success of a new service in any community, and the support we’ve received from the St. Arnaud community has been overwhelming” says Program Coordinator Hayley Wallace.
“We have been welcomed with open arms and supported every step of the way. We understand the significant transport barriers that the St. Arnaud community experience in accessing their healthcare and we’re excited to be able to help bridge that gap”. A generous donation from the St. Arnaud Christ Church Old Cathedral Anglican Church was gratefully received last week by Miss Wallace on behalf of the Flying Doctors Victoria. “The generosity and support from local community and church groups here in St. Arnaud has been astounding, we’re incredibly humbled by the donation from the Anglican Church as part of their commitment to local mission projects.” • Continued on page 3.
Above: (left to right) Brian and Barb Kershaw, Hayley Wallace and Helen Rigby.