Ferntree Gully Belgrave
Hills projects get capital works funding
Lunar halo spotted in The Basin
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Tuesday, 13 June, 2023
Mail Inspiro CEO to take part in Vinnies Sleepout
Entries open for Emerald’s Woorilla Poetry Prize
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A Star News Group Publication
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To a future rich in music The Dandenong Ranges Music Council is extending an open invitation to creatives throughout the hills and beyond to have a say in its future direction. On Sunday 25 June 2pm, a Question and Answer session with a panel made up of music experts will be held at 1451 Burwood Highway, in an effort to “share ideas, connect and engage in informal discussions about the future of music and possibilities to collaborate, create and promote musical projects.” Turn to page 16 for more The Dandenong Ranges Music Council New Horizons band practising at the Tecoma Uniting Church. Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE
‘Save our kindys’ By Parker McKenzie The Australian Education Union is asking Knox City Council to continue offering kindergarten services after the council announced a review of its 29 sessional services throughout the local government area in 2022. At a council meeting on Monday 27 February, the council was presented with a report offering three options for the future of its kindergarten services: reducing the number of sites where it offers kindergarten and increasing to 15 hours a week for all three and four-year-
olds, providing sessional kindergarten only at the Knox Children and Family Centres in Bayswater and Wantirna South and no longer providing any sessional kindergarten services. Knox City Council released a statement on Wednesday 7 June stating that the council will meet on Monday 19 June to “decide on a preferred option for its future role in kindergarten services.” “There are some big changes coming for kindergarten as part of the state government’s decision to increase hours, make kindergarten
free and offer a second year of kindergarten before school,” the council said. “In light of this, Council has been reviewing its kindergarten services. This is the responsible thing to do when there are such big changes ahead that could have impacts for our services and our community.” The statement said no decision had been made yet and any changes will be effective from January 2025. AEU Victoria launched a petition on Friday 2 June, asking the council to continue
running its kindergartens. “If Knox Council abandons kindergarten programs, it would mean that the families of 3 and 4-year-old children in the Knox area would no longer be able to access Knox Council-delivered free kindergarten programs,” the petition said. “Currently the Council delivers high-quality play-based early childhood education.” At the time of publishing, the petition has been signed 893 times. Turn to page 2 for more
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