Girrabanya works make for more happy kids

UPGRADES to the Girrabanya Integrated Children’s Centre are complete with the additional facilities formally opened at an event on Friday.

Costing $1.25 million and funded by the State government, the money went towards a new occasional childcare room, expanded kindergarten room, extra long day care places and renovated entry area.

During the event Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison reflected on her involvement with the centre.

“Having had kids in Ballarat I’ve spent my time getting immunisations and visiting maternal health here at Girrabanya,” she said.

“Having young ones can be very challenging and to have that continuity of care and reassurance constantly at Girrabanya brings back so many memories.”

The centre now has capacity for 98 places, 23 of which are for occasional childcare following the relocation of that service from Armstrong Street North.

The facility also has four child and maternal health rooms that can see up to 28 families a day and also provides regular immunisation services.

Girrabanya has grown over nearly 30 years to become the integrated childcare and maternal health facility it is today.

“We have actually experienced Girrabanya open before. It just looks more beautiful, it’s bigger and it’s more exciting,” said Cr Samantha McIntosh.

Work at the site won’t stop, with the land on the south west corner of Peel and Dana streets to be turned into a community space.