Howlong Preschool upgrades opens thanks to $200k funding

Howlong Preschool, a not-for-profit preschool in the Murray region of New South Wales, has officially opened upgraded facilities, including the preschool building and surrounding landscapes, thanks to a $200,000 contribution from the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program. 

The work was funded through the NSW Department of Education, a $100,000 contribution from Federation Council, and “an astonishing” $165,000 contribution from the preschool itself via fundraising efforts. 

With a total project value of $465,000 local Mayor Pat Bourke said the Council hoped young residents in the town would enjoy the new space for many years to come, having been active in the community since 1975, as a community-owned not-for-profit service. 

The expansion of the preschool now provides a state of the art, two room facility licensed for 40 preschool places, for children aged 3-5 years.

“This is such an exciting time for the community of Howlong, especially preschool-aged children and their families. As a result of various funding partners, and the hard work of the Howlong Preschool Association over many years, they will now enjoy the benefits of this revitalised and extended facility,” Mayor Bourke said. 

In attendance to open the newly upgraded site was Federal Member for Farrer, Ms Susan Ley, along with State Member for Albury, Justin Clancy, and local councillors, Deputy Mayor Cr Shaun Whitechurch and Cr David Longley. 

Howlong Preschool Director Olivia-Rose Pepper said the project began in 2012, adding she is “so proud of what we have achieved thanks to the commitment of the preschool and wider community, Federation Council and the NSW Department of Education”. 

“Our community has played a pivotal role in this becoming reality, thank you for supporting the numerous fundraisers we have held over the last seven years. Every dollar donated and raised is what has made this happen. Your continued support of the preschool through fundraising and other means has been a vital and essential ingredient in the success of this venture.” 

“You, the community, own this wonderful not-for-profit preschool. By working together, we can build the connections that will help children learn, grow and be happy. If we grow together and support this wonderful facility, I believe we can achieve wonderful things.” 

Ms Pepper added that thank you seemed an inadequate expression for the amount of time and effort that had been put into the renovations, saying “on behalf of the children who are currently enrolled and the many children who will pass through these doors in the years to come, I thank all of you who have been responsible for the realisation of this dream”.

For more information on Howlong Preschool, please see here