WEDDERBURN’S kindergarten will close in December ahead of the town’s new early learning centre opening for the 2026 school year.
Loddon Shire councillors on Tuesday voted to sell the Reef Street property that has been the town’s kindergarten was built 50 years ago.
They were told by community wellbeing director Wendy Gladman that the new centre, being co-located at Wedderburn College, was expected to be ready for the new school year. However, Mrs Gladman said there was a contingency plan for the Government to use the Reef Street kindergarten if needed in the short-term. “But we don’t expect that (will happen).”
Cr Gavan Holt said the kindergarten had been achieved because the community had rolled up its sleeves 50 years ago.
Mrs Gladman told councillors: “Council is an approved early years manager appointed to manage and deliver funded kindergarten programs on behalf of the State Government. Council is EYM for all Kindergarten services in Loddon Shire, including Boort, Dingee, Inglewood Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn.
“The Victorian Government committed to the construction and operation of 50 Early Learning Centres in communities across Victoria that have the greatest need for childcare and kindergarten places. 
“Loddon Shire Council is one of 14 sites that will be constructed this year and be ready to operate from the commencement of Term 1 in 2026. The ELC will provide long day care, and both integrated and sessional kindergarten programs.”
She said council officers assessed the impact of the new service on the Wedderburn Kindergarten program. “The transition process will continue to be managed within existing staff capacity.”
The Government committed to the new Wedderburn centre during the 2022 election campaign after strong community advocacy for child care in Loddon Shire. The shire will remain in a child care desert until the centre opens. Ripon MP Martha Haylett this month turned the official sod and contractors on Tuesday poured the concrete slab.