Yarram Primary School will receive $20,000 towards a new $32,000 playground for its middle and senior school students.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week announced the school was one of 11 across Gippsland to share almost $200,000 from the Federal Government.
“It is a great pleasure to be able to help some of our local schools to realise projects they would otherwise struggle to complete,” Mr Chester said.
“Times are tough for communities across Gippsland and fundraising can be difficult.
“Our schools are the focus of many towns and districts, so by supporting our schools we are supporting our community. As many people know, a school playground in a small community can be used every day of the week.”
Yarram Primary School Principal Penny Earle said the school had spent a considerable amount of money to try to improve its playground.
“Half of our students live out of town, which means the opportunities for them to play with their peers and challenge themselves is limited,” Ms Earle said.
“Our playground is old and does little to inspire our older students mentally or physically.
“Our new playground will be designed to get our year three to six students to move, play and challenge themselves. We hope they will discover the mental and physical benefits of being active, rather than focusing on electronic devices.”
The school’s playground is open to the community outside of school hours, including at weekends and during the holidays, and is also used by children taking part in before and after school and holiday care programs.
“Our families are enduring tough times with drought, so fundraising is tight. We have wanted to install this new playground for around five years, so it is exciting that it’s happening.”
The Federal Government allocated $200,000 to Gippsland through the Local Schools Community Fund for grants between $1000 and $20,000 for small-scale projects. Fifty-four schools in Gippsland applied for funding totalling $900,000.
Schools were able to apply for funding for projects including small scale extensions and refurbishments, computer and ICT equipment, playground and sporting equipment, landscaping, furniture, air-conditioning and measures to support student well-being.
