Federal funding for Mallee/Wimmera

Federal Community Services Minister, Larry Anthony, today announced capital funding of $374,008 for two community organisations to establish child care services in the Mallee/Wimmera region.

“This funding will enable Wimmera Community Care and the Mallee Track Health and Community Service to upgrade their facilities, and provide equipment essential for the operation and licensing of child care services,” Mr Anthony said.

“In particular, the townships of Underbool, Murrayville, Ouyen, Kaniva, Natimuk, Goroke, Jeparit, Dimboola, Nhill and Rainbow and surrounding communities will benefit.

Minister Anthony said that improving access to children’s services in rural and remote regions was a priority of the Government. The helps develop child care services in rural areas that cannot support mainstream services.

“In this case, the capital funding will assist in providing a range of services, including long day care in community venues, vacation care, and a toy library,” Mr Anthony said.

“Both sponsors of these services are committed to providing a quality service, which is flexible and affordable and meets the identified child care needs of their local communities.

Mr Anthony said that child care centres across Australia played a vital role in helping develop the educational and socialisation needs of young children.

“Often rural families are forced to travel long distances to access the child care facilities that people in larger towns and cities take for granted,” he said.

“These services are unique in that they will be able to provide care to rural families that otherwise would not have access to affordable, quality child care.”