By PEACE IJIYERA
TWO federally funded playgrounds were officially opened at Yinnar South Primary School earlier this month.
Federal Labor Senator for Victoria, Raff Ciccone, joined school principal Sarah Lonnie and the school community for the opening.
The federal government’s School Upgrade Fund made the project possible, with the school receiving $272,179.00 for the upgrades. The new playgrounds replace an existing playground that was at the school for around 19 years.
Funding was received in October 2024, and building began around Term 3 last year. The whole process took around two-and-a-half years to complete.
Ms Lonnie expressed how beneficial having the playgrounds will be for students and the community.
“Having a brand new playground in our school is so meaningful … we have 23 students, and having playgrounds such as this is so meaningful for our students,” she said.
“We have a playgroup that comes once a week, and something like this is accessible to all of our students from Prep right through to Grade 6, including kinder kids.
“It’s brand new, it’s accessible, it’s exciting. It’s a really wonderful two pieces of equipment.”
Ms Lonnie also spoke about how involved the students were during the planning process.
“It was specifically designed by our kids. So when we designed our playground, we asked specifically what our kids would like, and they wanted more slides, they wanted climbing equipment,” she said.
The students have made the pieces of equipment their own, naming one part of the playground Kate and the other, Nathan. Naturally, the playgrounds match the school’s colours of teal and black.
Being at the playground’s opening was “exciting” for Mr Ciccone, who highlighted the “wonderful and sunny afternoon” it was.
“Given the upgrades to the infrastructure … it really means a lot, because we want to make sure that kids are active and they’re healthy and that’s such an important part of the curriculum, to make sure that any kid around the country whether they’re in regional schools or metropolitan schools, have the same opportunities, regardless of where they live.”
He emphasised the importance of regional schools getting the upgrades they require.
“The federal government has supported regional schools and making sure that schools can apply for funding,” Mr Ciccone said.
“We want to make sure that regional schools are not disadvantaged just because of where they are. We want to make sure that every student, regardless of where they live, have the same opportunities.
“And the federal government is very pleased to support schools like the one here today.”
With the untying of the ribbon, the playground was officially opened, and the students were keen to try it out. Swinging across the monkey bars and slipping down the slide, it was clear that students were excited. An official plaque with the students’ names will be placed at the school, one that future generations can look at and see the names of those who designed the playgrounds they get to enjoy.
