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Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Locally owned and proudly independent
Fight to save kindy By Rebecca Wallis
THE future of Dimbulah’s kindy is hanging perilously in the balance, despite an inpouring of donations from local individuals and businesses. The service, which has been operating in the town for over 25 years, was almost unable to go ahead this year due to a lack of students, equalling a lack of funding. But in true Dimbulah style, the community came together collectively raising around $5000 to make up the shortfall, allowing it to open its doors this week. The celebration could be short-lived, however, as the kindy may not be able to continue past its first term. “Back in December due to the numbers it looked like the kindy was going to have to close,” said Mareeba Shire Councillor Nipper Brown who has rallied with the community in a personal capacity. “Then when it got out to the community a number of organisations came forward with donations.”
Big week for local prep kids By Rebecca Wallis
QT’S Early Learning Centre director Siale Jenkins (pictured) said a tearful goodbye on Friday to her kindy kids that this week took their first steps into the real world by starting school for the very first time. Little Mirriam Foo (pictured) is only four and half but can’t wait to get started in Prep at St Thomas’s School in Mareeba this week. She is one of hundreds of kids all over the Tablelands who started school on Monday.
“I’m really excited,” said Mirriam who has been at QT’s since she was a toddler. “I can’t wait to have a go of everything.” Mrs Jenkins said she formed a strong attachement with each of the children at the centre and was sad to see them leave but at the same time was proud to see them go on with the skills they learned at the centre. “It’s really sad when they leave but they always come back to say hi and tell us how they’re going,” she said. “The kindy program here really prepares them for prep.”
Those organisations included Dimbulah Lions Club, Dimbulah CWA, Mutchilba Community Centre, Nugget of the North and Dimbulah Soccer Club as well as private donations from individuals. The contributions were enough to open the kindy for the first term which will cater for seven children, but the community is now fighting hard to scrape together enough funds to see the service through till the end of the year. It is thought there are low numbers of kindy aged kids this year in Dimbulah. but that in the future the numbers will rise enough to make the service more financially viable. Cr Brown said if the doors close, it will be difficult to re-open. “The service is government funded but only based on the numbers, so when the numbers drop off, so does the money,” he said. “It may have to close its doors, but I’m optimistic.” Cr Brown said the kindy closing could put off cont. P3
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