Australia Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell and Member for Bentleigh Elizabeth Miller announced a $515,000 (Australian dollar) upgrade to the Gan Gabi and Rivki Early Learning Centre at the Bentleigh East’s Beis Menachem Community Centre.
Ms Miller said the grant will enable the replacement of existing portable buildings with a state-of-the-art four-room facility, allowing the centre to lift its capacity from 113 to 144 places and offer a kindergarten program with 72 places for the very first time.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Jewish families living in Bentleigh East,” Ms. Lovell said.
“It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for early childhood education at this centre, allowing more Jewish families to access high-quality, culturally sensitive kindergarten and day care programs close to home.”
Ms Lovell said the Napthine Government in Victoria was proud to meet a real community need in Bentleigh East, which is one of the fastest growing areas for young Jewish families in the Victoria.
“The Napthine Government is absolutely committed to supporting families of all backgrounds to access the services they need to give their children a great start in life.”
The Napthine Government committed $350,000 towards the upgrade, adding to $165,000 in contributions from charitable trusts and local fundraising efforts.
“This project is testament to what the state government can achieve when we work hand in hand with local communities,” Ms Lovell said.
“Investing in early years infrastructure is part of the government’s plan to make Victoria a world leader in children’s learning and development.”
“Victoria already leads the nation in early childhood education and care, and by improving facilities and increasing access to services, we are making Victoria an even better place for families to raise their children,” Ms Lovell said.
Since December 2010, the Victorian Coalition Government has invested a record of more than $120 million to build or upgrade over 620 Victorian children’s centres, creating more than 9,500 new kindergarten places and generating hundreds of jobs in building, construction and related industries.
Its great to see payback time for all the GREAT work Rabbi Raskin and his family does.
Much Success for the future.
Melbourne fan.
Mazal tov Gan Gabi
Gan Gabi is the best kindergarten!!!! You really share the love for Yiddishkeit with so many families.
Thank you Rabbi & Rebetzin Raskin, Rabbi Yitzi & Draiza Raskin and Rivka Bondar.
Go Rivka Bondar
Your family on the other side of the world are proud of you
Shluchims effort. Rebbes concern. Hashems brochos! Mazal tov!
Amazing work together with your parents and Yitzi!
We’re proud of you!!
to see the Rebbe’s Shluchim peulos and mosdos that started 35 years ago “down unda” is a pleasure to see BH.
Wishing Rabbi Mendel and Yisrolik Raskin, Yitzi Engel and families all the Rebbes Brochos for continued hatzlocho in an your holy work!