Orange electorate to benefit from funding boost

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless has welcomed news that 13 grants have been awarded to preschools, primary schools and indigenous organisations across the Orange Electorate ahead of NAIDOC week.

9 preschools in Orange Electorate will benefit from up to $15,000 in funding which will go towards enhancing the quality of their service. A total of $113, 635.60 has been awarded to preschools across the Orange Electorate.

“These 9 grants fall under the NSW Government’s Quality Learning Environments program, which shows an ongoing commitment to ensuring children in Orange have access to top quality early childhood education, which, as the Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, makes me extremely proud.

“Preschools will be able to use this funding to cover items like shade cloths so children can play safely outdoors, kitchen gardens to teach children where their food comes from, or an outdoor jungle gym to encourage a child’s hand-eye coordination.

“4 more grants have also been awarded to a range of Organisations across Orange ahead of NAIDOC week – which runs from 8th to 15th July.

“A total of investment of $7,500 has been granted to these organisations to ensure we continually recognise the contribution and achievements of Aboriginal communities right across the state.”

Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC said this is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of Aboriginal people across NSW.

“NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous achievements of Aboriginal people in the Orange Electorate and across NSW.

“I am very much looking forward to NAIDOC Week and all of the celebrations across the state and I am particularly excited for this year’s theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’” Ms Mitchell said.