DISTRICT preschool children will soon begin an early education on culture thanks to a $200 donation from the Kerang branch of the Bendigo Bank.
The Gannawarra Children’s Centre in Kerang received the funds as part of the community bank’s annual Switch to Save initiative, which has helped home owners lower their energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment.
The five-month long program invited customers and the community to visit a Bendigo Bank branch and sign up to replace energy-thirsty halogen down lights with energy-efficient LED down lights, free of charge, in participating households and businesses.
The bank made a commitment to support local schools in introducing or enhancing sustainable programs.
For ever participating household or business, the branch contributed $1 for every halogen down light replaced to support the shire-operated Murray Street centre.
Gannawarra mayor, Cr Lorraine Learmonth said the money will be used for cultural education resources to support and expand upon Aunty Esther Kirby’s visits to kindergartens late last year.
“These visits were a wonderful opportunity to for the children to see, hear and experience a critical part of our history and culture in a very interactive way,” she said.
“We hope we can make these visits a feature every term and incorporate more involvement from the local Aboriginal community in our early years program.
“These resources will support this greater integration of Aboriginal culture and heritage into our early year curriculum.”
