Ranges Trader
Driver faces court after car fire
Wellington Rd potholes cause havoc
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Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
A Star News Group Publication
Jeffery Latter gets top honours
FTG author debuts his first novel
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PAGE 12 Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
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Lighting up the winter Light descended on the Main Street of Belgrave last weekend as crowds lined the streets for the Belgrave Lantern Festival. Celebrating the longest night known as the winter solstice, the street came alive despite the chill. This year’s event was about bringing some different ideas and creativity to the centre of the town, putting on a large display of community spirit.
One of the brightest lanterns marching in the parade.
Picture: PAULINE KLEMM
To see more from the 2023 Belgrave Lantern Festival, turn to page 13
Kindergarten fury A complete “lack of respect” is the verdict around the latest news about the future of local kinder providers in the Knox City Council area. Following a recent announcement made by Knox Council about the upcoming closure of several kinder services across the municipality, the future of early childhood education appears bleak. In light of this, the Australian Education Union (AEU) is calling for the council to “re-
To read more about the developments, turn to page 5
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Emerald 5954 0900 Beaconsfield 9707 0111 www.kayecharles.com.au
5968 4522 2/321 Main Road, Emerald
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Emerald Real Estate
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petition, saying the families of three and fouryear-old children in the Knox area would no longer be able to access Knox Council-delivered free kindergarten programs. Deliberation is expected to be made later this year once the council has reviewed feedback provided.
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Knox City Council officers have recommended that the council cease providing stand-alone kindergarten services and “relinquish Council’s role as an Early Years Manager from December 2024 in line with the expiry of the current kindergarten service agreement”. The decision has been in the works since a review in 2022, after the council announced a evaluation of its 29 sessional services throughout the local government area. Earlier this month, AEU Victoria launched a
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consider” its proposal to cut its kindergarten services for local families and children, with redundancies, job loss and staff shortages expected to come from this decision. Several local community members, teachers, and concerned parties have voiced their concern to the council, as the people who know and understand their local community more than anyone else, however, people are gearing up to see closures of the majority of local kinder providers by 2025.