A crowd funding campaign is underway to build a new preschool for Aboriginal children in Lismore.
The council last night approved Jarjum Preschool’s request to investigate relocating the preschool at Clifford Park in Goonellebah, but money is needed to construct the new facility and possibly buy the land.
Councillors last night heard that the current building is not a safe place for the children as it does not comply with building codes, and its facilities are limited.
The council will now begin a consultation process to identify the best location for the preschool, with a further report to be provided back to the council on such things as leasing arrangements, and the classification of the land.
The preschool, which has operated in Lismore for more than 30 years, has places for 40 children and others are turned away on a regular basis because of a lack of spaces.
The crowd-funding campaign has so far raised just over $2,300, but the organisers are hoping to reach $50,000.
Greens candidate for Page Kudra Falla-Ricketts called on the Federal government to stump up funds to build the new pre-school.
‘… the ball is in the federal governments court to urgently commit to providing the $2m funding needed for Jarjums to complete the purchase and construction of a new facility,’ she said.
‘I have been really moved by meeting the hard-working and dedicated staff at the Jarjum preschool. This preschool fulfils a vital community need by providing educational opportunities to a generation of local children who would otherwise fall through the gaps.”
‘Providing assistance to young children at the preschool level is a proven way of ensuring better lifelong outcomes and Jarjum preschool is a vital service for closing the gap for local indigenous children. “
‘Federal government cuts to indigenous education programs have severely reduced the Jarjum preschool’s capacity to operate, despite having a waiting list of more than 20 children.
Greens councillor Vanessa Ekins also congratulated the Lismore Council.
‘I’m delighted at the decision and and I’m hopeful that the council go further by offering the land to Jarjums on terms that fully reflect the centre’s importance to the local community and its not-for-profit status,’ Cr Ekins said.
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