Members of the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service team Loren Miller, back left, Lina La Rocca, Jane Evans, Debbie Flederis Bree Gorfine, front, Melissa Mcalister are excited to see the development of a new garden. 89289 Picture: VANESSA VALENZUELA
By VANESSA VALENZUELA
THE redevelopment of a community garden is set to delight children and parents living in Melbourne’s west.
Western Metropolitan MP Andrew Elsbury announced last week that The Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service in St Albans would receive more than $11,000 in funding from the State Government as part of the Creating Modernised and Inclusive Neighbourhood Houses program.
“It is wonderful that the St Albans community will benefit from this funding, which reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to fostering community engagement through neighbourhood houses” Mr Elsbury said.
The funding will go towards construction works on the backyard at the Good Shepherd Community House to encourage children to play outdoors in a safe and comfortable environment.
Program Manager Livia La Rocca said the new backyard would include a cubby house, sand pit and vegetable garden.
“We’re hoping to redevelop the backyard so that it includes opportunities for children and their mothers to experience the outdoors together,” Ms La Rocca said.
“We want to create a great sensory play experience for them, really valuing the importance of play in children’s development.”
She said initial plans for the garden site had been discussed two years ago, and the staff members were excited to finally see their vision come true.
“We do have a high mix of cultures in our community and so part of the design reflected the cultural diversity,” she said.
Ms La Rocca said playing outside is a great way to help children develop important motor skills.
For more information about Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service call 8312 8800 or visit www.goodshepvic.org.au
