By CASEY NEILL
World-class children’s centre named after late John Henry
A LASTING tribute to the Henry family and a key community resource officially opened its doors in Pakenham yesterday.
Descendants of the late John Henry, Trish Archer and Jane D’Amico, travelled from Trawool and Mornington to be part of the Henry Family Children’s Centre launch on Wednesday 14 May.
“It’s absolutely wonderful,” Ms D’Amico said.
“It couldn’t be a more fitting legacy.”
Ms Archer was amazed at the decision to name the $4.3 million facility after her forefathers.
“Because they haven’t been involved in the district for so long,” she said.
Mayor Graeme Moore said Mr Henry owned the land where the centre stands from 1892, and that he and his wife were untiring workers who championed charity causes.
“We have a huge population of young residents – babies and children are moving into and are born into our municipality at an astonishing rate,” Cr Moore said.
“There is a baby born to a Cardinia Shire family every six hours, and children develop and learn more in their first five years than at any other stage of life.
“Integrating multiple services from these centres will ensure programs are inclusive, flexible and collaborative.”
The facility welcomed the first families through its doors in February and features a double unit kindergarten, maternal child health services, community and consulting rooms, and – for the first time in the shire – early childhood intervention services.
There’s also an outdoor play space available for community hire, which provides a sensory experience for kids through a fallen tree trunk, shallow creek bed, fire pit and secret garden.
Opening the centre, Planning Minister Matthew Guy said it provided 66 early years places at any one time, long day care, three and four-year-old kindergarten, playgroups and parent groups, a toy library and more.
“Not only has this centre provided more kindergarten places, it also brings many long-term benefits to local families, including giving children the best possible preparation for school,” he said.
“This facility is world-class.”
Mr Guy also officially unveiled public artwork Natural Balance, commissioned under Cardinia Shire Council’s public art program.
The sandstone, leaf-shaped sculpture inspired by the local landscape, Indigenous culture and conservation of the local environment.
The council contributed more than $2.2 million towards Henry Family Children’s Centre and $35,000 to the public art project. The State Government added $2.1 million.
