On Monday of this week the Brumby Labor government announced a $500 000
contribution to the establishment of the Port Fairy Community Services Centre.
This new facility will include the relocation of the Port Fairy Kindergarten
with programs for up to 60 children; it will provide for an additional 30
child-care places, maternal and child health immunisation, early childhood
intervention and a broader range of family and community services. The Port
Fairy Community Services Centre will be a one-stop shop for children’s services.
The facility is primarily targeted at children and families but
will provide a range of services to meet the varied needs of residents of all
ages. It will be seen as a community hub, providing opportunities for residents
of the town to connect and network.
I would like to mention the Moyne Shire Council for its forward
thinking and foresight in developing this proposal; it is clearly committed to
this project and has made a very significant financial contribution of $1.8
million. I would particularly like to thank the community members on the
community services steering committee, its chair, Cr Di Clanchy, and the mayor,
Ken Gale. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to personally thank them
earlier this week in Port Fairy.
This project is a perfect adjunct to the newly redeveloped Port
Fairy Consolidated Primary School which I officially opened five weeks ago. This
has been reinforced in this morning’s Warrnambool Standard by Brett Stonestreet,
Moyne Shire Council chief executive officer, who was quoted as saying that
another feature of the Moyne shire and Port Fairy is that it will be attractive
to young families to live there. Members would be aware of Port Fairy’s appeal
to retirees and tourists, but now Port Fairy will be a place of choice — —
The PRESIDENT — Order! The member’s time has expired.