May 19th, 2024New outdoor play space for Gisborne youngsters

A new outdoor play space has been completed at Gisborne’s Manna Gum Family and Children’s
Centre, providing more outdoor learning and fun for local pre-schoolers.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP, officially opened the new playground earlier this month.

The new community asset has been funded by a Victorian School Building Authority Building Blocks Refurbishment and Minor Works grant of $360,000.

It extends the existing play spaces and features nature-based play elements, a sculpture of ‘Bunjil the Creator’ (a wedge-tailed eagle), a stage for performances, and a yarning circle, alongside traditional play equipment.

“A key priority area in our Municipal Early Years Plan … is that children’s needs are recognised in infrastructure and the built environment,” said Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss.

“A key theme of this is to actively seek and respond to opportunities for children to play, explore, solve problems, communicate, think, create and construct.

“This fantastic new outdoor space definitely ticks those boxes and will ensure a nature-based learning
environment where children can play, learn, grow and thrive for many years to come.”

Registrations are currently open for 2025 across the council’s eight kindergartens with families encouraged to register before 31 May.

“Demand for our kindergartens can be high, so we encourage families to register by this date to have the best chance of being offered a place,” Ms Weiss said.

Those who register by 31 May will go into a draw to win a six-month family swim pass or 12 months (four terms) of swimming lessons at Gisborne or Kyneton aquatic centres.