Class is officially in session at the new Diamond Hills Preschool following the formal opening of the contemporary education facility in Greensborough.
Colin Brooks, the State Member for Bundoora and Minister for Development Victoria, Precincts and Creative Industries, opened the new building on Friday 9 August on behalf of Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning and the Suburbs.
He was joined by Mayor Ben Ramcharan, Ward Councillor Richard Stockman, Councillors, the Diamond Hills Preschool volunteer committee of management, staff families and, most importantly, students for the long-awaited celebration.
The $4.5 million preschool has more than doubled in size with two classrooms allowing for the increase in three and four-year-old kinder places for local children.
Other features of the new building include a community multipurpose room, kitchen, quiet library space, and large outdoor areas with undercover area.
As families arrive at the preschool, they are greeted by a new public artwork, Tread Gently Together, designed by Bend of Island artist Tim Read, of Tread Sculptures, together with the children and families at the preschool.
Mayor Ben Ramcharan said the new building was an outstanding modern facility that supported Council's commitment to provide local children with the best start to life.
"Diamond Hills Preschool has been delivering exceptional education programs for almost 40 years. The previous building was ageing and no longer met contemporary standards or increasing community demand," Cr Ramcharan said.
"The new contemporary design provides spaces for children to explore, learn and develop their social and emotional skills through play-based learning.
"The building also has a number of important sustainability features, including being all-electric, which will keep staff and students comfortable in all weather, help us reach our Climate Action targets and help the preschool reduce their operating costs.
"I would like to thank the Victorian Government for their financial support through the Growing Suburbs Fund and the advocacy of our local Members of Parliament, Colin Brooks and Vicki Ward."
Blue Lake Ward Councillor Richard Stockman said the preschool's volunteer committee of management, educators and families had worked closely with Council on the design, contributed funding to the build, and furnished the new centre.
"As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and the preschool community's efforts are certainly a testament to that," Cr Stockman said.
"Diamond Hills Preschool has already taught generations of local children, and now this fantastic new building puts it in the position to provide an outstanding education for many more."
Preschool Association President Dani Page said: "We're thrilled about the opening of Diamond Hills Preschool and grateful for the support from the State Government and Nillumbik Shire Council. Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this amazing new preschool possible. We look forward to welcoming families for many years to come."
The Diamond Hills Preschool project has been funded in partnership through the Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund ($2.9 million), Council ($1.52 million) and the Diamond Hills Preschool ($75,000).
The official opening of the new Diamond Hills Preschool, from left, Cr Frances Eyre, preschool committee member Dan Woods, Bundoora MP Colin Brooks, Preschool President Dani Page, Nillumbik Mayor Ben Ramcharan and Blue Lake Ward Councillor Richard Stockman.
The new Diamond Hills Preschool building.
A section of the preschool's large outdoor area including a playground.
One of the two preschool classrooms.
One of the meeting rooms inside the modern preschool.
A close-up of a section of the new artwork at the entrance to the preschool. Pictured are Dan Woods, Cr Frances Eyre, Mayor Ben Ramcharan, artist Tim Read, Cr Richard Stockman, Preschool President Dani Page, and Bundoora MP Colin Brooks.
