Raffle helps set up life-long learning

Dedicated: early childhood educator Hayley Hinchliffe working with Zach at the Teesdale Kindergarten. Photo: ALISTAIR FINLAY

TEESDALE Kinder is holding a big fundraising raffle and the effort is all about helping the centre’s kids get the best start to their learning journey.

With a literal stack of prizes including one-tonne of firewood on offer, president of the parent’s association Kylie Campbell said the effort was about getting more resources for the kinder’s kids.

“Kindergarten is the first years of a child’s education,” she said.

“We ran the raffle last year during COVID and it was our biggest fundraiser that we did through the year. We had to do it all online, and we’re doing that again, and it was really successful.

“We raised over $2500 last year and we’re hoping to beat that.”

Money raised goes towards resources and activities at the kindergarten. The 2020 raffle funds went towards things like balance bikes and crash mats.

The extra funding this year will also go towards setting the facility up for three-year-old kinder programs that are currently being rolled out across the state.

“This time we’re looking at puzzles, Duplo, things like that,” Ms Campbell said. “It’s a kindergarten and as kids go through things get wrecked. We’re looking at starting afresh and upgrading.

“Next year is three-year-old kinder. It’s an imperative year, and while we do three-year-old kinder here, when it starts statewide we’re hoping to have top of the range things for all these three and four year olds starting their education.”

First prize in the raffle is one-tonne of firewood donated by Lee’s Redgum Firewood in Bannockburn, while second prize is decorated and transportable firepit from Waterjet Cutting in Grovedale.

Prize packs from third to fifth include items like a wheelbarrow, firewood storage locker, and wood chopping equipment donated by Bunnings, Nutrien AG solutions and Bannockburn Mowers.

“We have a bigger prize pool this year, so hopefully we draw in a lot of the community to help us raise funds,” Ms Campbell said.

Tickets are on sale until 23 May via rafflelink.com.au/teesdalekinder2021 and the prize draw is set for 24 May.