By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Three schools in the Cardinia region have received funding from the State Government for projects to bring schools and the wider community closer together.
State Education Minister James Merlino visited Pakenham Hills Primary School on Monday 17 July to announce projects in Cardinia that will be financed by the government’s $50 million Shared Facilities Fund.
The Shared Facilities Fund allows the government to build and fund projects at schools across the state that benefit whole communities.
Cardinia shire will receive more than $4 million for three projects in Pakenham, Officer and Kooweerup.
A total of $2 million of the $4 million for Cardinia will go to Pakenham Hills Primary School to build a ParentZone multi-service centre in partnership with Cardinia council and Anglicare.
The community centre at Pakenham Hills will give parents access to support programs in a way that is easily accessible.
The facility will contain community playgroups, maternal child and health services, literacy and tutoring programs, school psychologists and parent drop-in sessions.
ParentZone Program Outcomes as presented by Anglicare Victoria.
The ParentZone centre will also be able to link parents with support services to assist with family violence, mental health or drug and alcohol issues as well.
Anglicare Victoria chief executive Paul McDonald said the facility at the primary school will give parents easy access to services that can otherwise be difficult to find.
“Parenting can be stressful and all parents need someone to talk to or some extra information or support every now and then but often don’t know where to go,” he said.
“ParentZone at Pakenham Hills is about taking that support and information out into the community where parents are, rather than making them go out and find it.’’
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said the new facility at Pakenham Hills Primary will see social and wellbeing outcomes for students and parents in Cardinia greatly improve.
“I am delighted to celebrate this announcement,” he said.
“With this funding support we will be able to establish a shared service hub that will sustain and enrich the connectedness and health of families in our rapidly growing community.
“It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that I look forward to seeing the very real benefits to our community this ground-breaking project will deliver.”
The State Government has also provided funding for other ways that schools can help connect more with their wider communities.
The State Government will also provide $530,000 to the new Gum Scrub Creek Primary School for a multi-service centre for Outside School Hours Care and $1.6 million to Kooweerup Secondary College to upgrade its oval and hockey pitch, and build a pavilion.
Cr Owen said the council was pleased to receive support from the State Government for these projects.
“It’s been great. We are working with the State Government to bring these community facilities on board because that is what the schools are about – community facilities and opening them up for the wider community,” he said.
“Council is very proud to be part of this project that will improve services for young people and families.”
Cr Owen said he is particularly glad to be able to deliver an upgrade to sporting facilities that can be utilised by the whole Kooweerup community.
“The Kooweerup one is very exciting, obviously improving the facilities of the school but also opening it up to the wider community,” he said.
“I appreciate we need additional playing services for our community in Kooweerup and opening this new facility after hours and particularly on weekends will be fantastic.”
Mr Merlino said the Shared Facilities Fund showed that the Andrews Government was committed to delivery projects to benefit Melbourne’s booming south-east growth corridor.
“Our Shared Facilities Fund is helping build much-needed community infrastructure, support services and sporting facilities in booming growth areas across Melbourne like Cardinia,” he said.
