Our local volunteer members have done a brilliant job in protecting the community.

They protected our land and lives over the years.

If it ain’t broke - why fix it?

Could teams distribute protest forms in their towns to be signed and sent to the premier?

He is obviously out of touch with the concerns felt over this situation.

OLWYN COWAN 

Minyip 

I AM writing to acknowledge six kindergartens – Ararat North, Carey Street, Jack and Jill, Lake Bolac, St Andrews and Willaura – for their work to ensure that all children can access high quality kindergarten programs in the year before school.

The Andrews government has recently provided $10,000 in drought assistance hardship grants to these six kindergartens in Ararat.

Drought takes its toll on communities in a number of different ways and not all of them are highly visible.

During challenging circumstances such as ongoing drought, kindergartens can struggle to keep their services strong and viable for regional families.

There are some families, overwhelmed by the additional cost or travel time, who feel there is no other choice but to withdraw their children from early education.

As Minister for Families and Children, I strive to make sure children never miss out on the rich benefits that come with attending kindergarten, simply because of where they live.

It is not fair that children miss out on valuable education just because of where they live.

There are now more than 110 children in the Ararat area attending these six kindergartens and getting the most out of the vitally important year before school, by attending 15 hours of kindergarten each week at no cost to families.

We know that attending a kindergarten program has positive effects on wellbeing and learning outcomes that last throughout the school years and beyond.

I’m pleased to say that from next year, we will be rolling out more funding to small kindergartens in rural areas to further support those services where enrolments fluctuate.

Kindergartens in drought-affected areas, including Ararat, will get the base level funding they need to shore up their services and plan for the future.

It is my hope that this offers families some relief during difficult times, as well as making sure that Ararat children are reaping the rewards of an early years education.

These kids deserve the same opportunity to succeed in education, and in life, the same as those from metro areas.

I am proud of the work the Andrews government is doing to give them a strong start in life.

JENNY MIKAKOS

Minister for Families and Children

CONFUSION continues about the spelling of many Wimmera place names and landmarks.

Many names can be attributed to the explorer Major Thomas Mitchell, who passed through in 1836.

Major Mitchell kept a journal in which he wrote the names of all the places he discovered during his expeditions.

However, the majority of Mitchell’s crew would have been illiterate, and so only knew the word as they heard it pronounced.

An example is the spelling of McKenzie Creek, which the explorer named after his commanding officer who was killed in the peninsular war against Napoleon. 

OLIVER GUTHRIE

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