Published on Wednesday, 11 September 2024 at 9:20:20 AM
Media Release
Katanning Early Childhood Hub Launches
The Katanning Early Childhood Hub, a project to provide facilities to support services to disadvantaged Great Southern families, has converted from concept to reality with the announcement by the State Government to provide the additional $1.6M, required by the Shire of Katanning to deliver this multi-million-dollar, game changing project.
Katanning Shire President Kristy D’Aprile, speaking on behalf of the Central Great Southern region says, “we are indebted to our funding partners the State Government, through the cooperation of the Departments of Regional Development and Communities, the Minderoo Foundation and Lotterywest for their generous contributions that will enable this important project to be delivered.
“This project has evolved and grown since its initiation by our local community in 2012 and responds to the region’s relative socio-economic disadvantage and the difficulties this creates for many families and their children.
“One in five WA children are considered developmentally vulnerable by the time they start school.”
Ms D’Aprile says “the Early Childhood Hub will provide a facility for the co-location of services catering for children 0 to 5 years in Katanning and the wider Great Southern region. The Hub will improve access to childhood education, healthcare, nutrition and parenting advice within a collaborative service model and aims to reduce the number of vulnerable children entering the school system.
“I would like to acknowledge the $2.25M contribution provided by the Minderoo Foundation who, in cooperation with the State Government and Telethon Kids, has established the Early Years Partnership. The efforts of our community since 2012 have neatly aligned with the objectives of the more recent Early Years Partnership which has assisted our region being selected as one of four partner communities across WA and facilitated this generous contribution to our project.
“Lotterywest is a tremendous supporter of WA communities and their contributions play an important role in delivering social opportunity and community wellbeing. Lotterywest has generously provided a $536,344 grant to this project”, says Ms D’Aprile
“I would like to acknowledge the support provided by the State Government through the Royalties for Regions program and support more recently provided by the Minister for Regional Development the Hon. Don Punch MLA and Minister for Communities the Hon. Sabine Winton. This support over the last five years, has enabled this project and we acknowledge their substantial contribution and their desire to see improved outcomes for families in the Katanning and Central Great Southern region.
"I would like to extend my gratitude to the Katanning community for their significant commitment and dedication to the Early Childhood Hub project. The vision of providing integrated support services for all preschool-aged children and families, accessible to everyone, is a true reflection of our community’s inclusive spirit.
This funding will not only bring the Early Childhood Hub to completion but also ensure lasting benefits for the families and children of Katanning and the surrounding region." Ms D’Aprile concluded.
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For further information
Kristy D’Aprile
President – Shire of Katanning
0427 211 705
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