Left: Yooralla in Narre Warren has received $250,000 to expand their children’s centre. Marie Symons and son Euan Symons, Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt and Westernport MP Geoff Hilton.By Rebecca Fraser
YOORALLA in Narre Warren has received $250,000 in State Government funding to expand its children’s centre.
Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt announced the funding when she visited the centre last Friday and said the grant would help fund the $300,000 expansion of the existing centre and boost the range of children’s services for local families.
“The planned extension of the complex in Malcolm Court will accommodate a multipurpose children’s room for additional early intervention services, more occasional child care, family support and group activities.
“The Yooralla Society has a reputation for providing excellent integrated kindergarten programs to support children with and without disabilities,” she said.
Sue Bray, manager of Yooralla early childhood services said the funding would allow the centre to build a second play room and provide more support to parents and children with additional needs.
“Some of our parent support groups are meeting out the back in our staff offices at the moment and we have also had to hire facilities offsite.
“We outgrew these facilities about three years ago so we were rapt to receive more funding,” she said.
Ms Bray said the demand for the Narre Warren service had always been high and continued to grow.
“Demand for any service for children with disabilities is always high.
“Our services give parents support and teach parents skills and provides a forum where they can chat about issues affecting their children.
“Sometimes people feel like their children are the only ones not talking or walking yet, so these groups help take away the stigma and provide support,” she said. Construction of the new complex is expected to begin next July.
