COMMUNITY members, kindergarten staff and volunteers, contractors and dignitaries gathered last Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the refurbished and extended Mansfield Kindergarten and the beautifully restored Mechanics’ Institute.
After years of planning and hard work, the celebration of these renovations marked a significant milestone and has breathed new life into these cherished community assets, promising to enrich the lives of local families and preserve the town’s historical charm.
The project, which began in earnest in 2018, was driven by a pressing need to expand the kindergarten’s capacity to accommodate the increasing population of Mansfield.
The kindergarten’s licensed capacity has now increased from 62 to 95 places, addressing a critical need in the community.
Andrew Setchell, kindergarten committee member and a key figure in bringing the project to life, reflected on the journey that began in 2016 when the committee first recognised the need for an upgrade.
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“As a committee of management, we identified back in 2016 a pressing need to actually expand our kindergarten facility, and that's how this project came to fruition,” said Mr Setchell.
“We had a really dynamic committee for a couple of years, and we started to get some runs on the board.
“We did our front entrance project with support from Bendigo Bank, which got us up and running.”
Mr Setchell’s passion for the project was evident as he recounted the various milestones achieved along the way, including the installation of Mansfield’s first community-funded solar system on the kindergarten roof.
“We also got a music garden in our front yard, and with the help of the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), we received an inclusion grant to redo our backyard play equipment, which was wonderful as well,” Mr Setchell continued.
“This project was actually up and running before COVID hit, which was fortunate.
“It really started in 2018, with support from Mansfield Shire Council, which provided some initial funding that enabled us to engage Bent Architecture and come up with some good concept development work and costing plans.”
The central motivation behind the project was to increase the kindergarten’s capacity to meet the needs of a growing population, but as Mr Setchell noted, it was also about maintaining the community spirit that makes Mansfield special.
“What I saw as president of the committee is what a wonderful organisation this is, and how important it is for the community,” he said.
“This is where parents reconnect with their community for the first time after school, which is significant in a small community like Mansfield.
“It’s also where parents get reintroduced to volunteerism and being part of a community again.”
Mr Setchell thanked the project’s funding partners, the Victorian State Government, Mansfield Shire Council and the Bendigo Bank Community Fund.
“I would also like to highlight the amazing work of our architects, Bent Architecture, and contractor, Cronin Constructions and their staff,” he added.
“A final special thanks needs to be given to our phenomenal staff and committee for their support and patience over many disruptive years.”
In thanking the state government for its $1.7 million investment, Mr Setchell noted the support from Ms Jaclyn Symes, Member for Northern Victoria, who was present for the opening and played a significant role in securing the necessary funding.
Ms Symes emphasised the importance of early childhood education and the government’s commitment to supporting it.
“The Allan Labor Government is investing in Mansfield’s future, providing families with quality early learning spaces and services that will set their children on the path to success,” said Ms Symes.
“Families in Mansfield now have even more access to kinder places close to home and at a centre that delivers quality early childhood education and services for families.”
Lachlan Cronin of Cronin Constructions reflected on the challenges and rewards of the project.
“The project has been challenging at times for the guys who were required to work around the staff and children in such a way that allowed the kinder to remain operational,” Mr Cronin said.
“That said, the challenges have been rewarding to see the new colourful and warm spaces now filled with children at play.
“The most rewarding aspect has been restoring the circa 1890 Mechanics’ Institute building back to its former glory.
“Hopefully, it stands for another 130 years.”
Bendigo Bank - Community Bank Mansfield & District, a longstanding supporter of the kindergarten, played a pivotal role in the redevelopment, providing both seed funding of $13,761.70 in 2017 and an additional $22,465.50 for the recent cabinetry fit out.
Mr Peter Valerio, volunteer director at the bank, spoke passionately about the importance of early childhood education, sharing a personal story about his wife, who is also an early childhood educator.
“There’s probably three things that stand out to me,” Mr Valerio said.
“One is how important those early years are in shaping who we become as a person.
“Secondly, I know how hard early childhood educators work and how passionate they are.
“The third thing I really know is that without facilities like this, their job is much, much harder.”
Mr Valerio also highlighted that in the last 12 months alone, the Community Bank Mansfield & District has contributed close to a quarter of a million dollars back into the local community and over $1.4 million since opening its doors in 2007.
Mansfield Shire Council also contributed support and $289,000 to the project, with the grand opening hosted by shire CEO Kirsten Alexander and attended by Mayor Cr Steve Rabie and Cr James Tehan.
Mayor Rabie expressed his satisfaction with the works completed.
“We’re grateful to the kindergarten’s volunteer committee for facilitating this major project,” he said.
“The project was delivered while kindergarten services continued, which is an incredible achievement in itself.
“We know that early childhood education is critical and places for the youngest members of our community are limited.
“The Mechanics’ Institute is a much-loved icon in the town, and I’m pleased that it’s been restored to its former glory.”
