Twenty schools and 2400 students were the benefactors of the 25th year of Kyabram Club’s school sponsorship program last week.
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Kyabram Club chair David Blake hosted principals, staff, school council and management committee representatives, along with a strong contingent of students, for the presentation evening.
He said when the board decided a quarter of a century ago that this would be a great contribution to the community it was never expected to be this big.
The club has now contributed $650,000 to schools within a 35km radius of the town, as far afield as Rushworth and including primary, secondary and kindergarten facilities.
This year the schools received $25,441.
“Because of COVID we didn’t have the opportunity to get together last year, but some of the directors were lucky encough to visit the schools and kindergartens,” Mr Blake said.
Students and school representatives were given the opportunity to explain exactly how the funds would be used, part of Lancaster Primary School’s funding going toward an end-of-year event, while Stanhope Primary School used its funding for a modern reading program.
Tiny schools, such as Girgarre (23 students) and Merrigum (17 students), were also involved, while Girgarre kindergarten said funds were important to its maintenance program.
Tongala kindergarten’s Carly Mullins said last year’s funds were used to purchase a television and a chicken coup.
St Patrick’s primary has used its funds for several outdoor programs, while Unwin St pre-school’s Robyn Campbell said the funds had been used for an Aboriginal-themed mural.
This year they were planning to develop a lending library as part of a school readiness program.
Tongala primary has used funds for the past three or four years to build up its sports uniforms and reversible basketball singlets were next on the list.
David Bell from Stanhope pre-school said he was really impressed with the impact of the club on the school community and would use the money to develop its vegetables garden.
Kerrie Bazella said Fenaughty St kindergarten had added wooden toys and puzzles to its learning program and were excited to host Greg and Julie last year.
At Merrigum primary the funds were used to help in the delivery of the Auslan program, along with camps and the erection of shade cloth.
St Augustine’s College used its funds on years 3 and 4 programs, while Kyabram P-12 College applied learning leader Mitch Coombs said he had been the beneficiary of the Kyabram Club funding program when he was a student at Tongala primary.
Mr Blake said the funding support was only 10 per cent of what had been returned to the community this year.
“We have just crossed $200,000 for the year and if we can help we do,” he said.
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