Allendale East Area School is calling for locals from an adjacent town to support its fundraising efforts towards a new playground.
A letter from the public school’s governing council fundraising committee seen by The SE Voice shows the school is calling for funds towards the construction of a $150,000 new playground.
Bec Kurzman, the author of the letter, is asking for support from locals of Mount Gambier.
“In a small community, we rely on Mount Gambier – our closest city centre, as the main supplier of our everyday wants and needs,” Ms Kurzman said.
“Our families and children shop locally, patronage local cinemas, bowling clubs, pubs and cafes on a regular basis. Our vehicles are purchased and serviced in Mount Gambier and our school supports many local businesses in the Mount Gambier precinct.
“We delight in coming into town to shop for special occasions and many of our families work within the city centre and therefore are more likely to spend their money in your community. We would be grateful for anything that comes back our way in support for our children.”
A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that ongoing maintenance and replacement of play equipment is “the responsibility of individual schools”.
“Sites are provided with an annual allocation within their Resource Entitlement Statement (RES), which provides financial support to undertake breakdown maintenance activities, including repairs of playground equipment or nature play structures,” the spokesperson told The SE Voice.
“Full replacement of playground equipment or nature play structures due to age, deterioration or non-compliance are funded by the site and budgeted through the site’s internal financial management processes or via fundraising.”
To assist in Allendale East’s fundraising efforts, the school plans to host an online auction in term three of this year.
The school currently serves 154 students, from kindergarten to Year 12, whose families live in Allendale East, Port MacDonnell and the region’s surrounding districts.
