‘Taj Mahal’ of preschools opens in Moama

The Moama and District Preschool community advocated for the new site for many years, with the demand for the centre outgrowing its former site on Regent St.

The new facility at 31 Bushlark Dve has double the capacity of the former preschool, including four learning rooms and two playgrounds. It has been operating since February 2024.

Murray River Council Mayor Frank Crawley delivered an acknowledgement of country and a speech recognising the significance of the site and congratulating the forces behind it.

“This is a momentous occasion, not just for children who walk through these doors every day, but for the entire preschool community who have worked together to make this vision a reality,” he said.

“To the educators whose passion for early childhood education ... and to the parents and community members who showed great support and patience while this project was delivered, thank you.”

Department of Education director of commissioned programs Peter Harvey was happy to see the finished site, impressed by the space and the community who pushed for it.

“It is wonderful to see young families in the Murray region being able to see this brand-new, purpose-built preschool,” he said.

“We know early childhood educators and teachers and the committees and councils and those that support them really are the beating heart of early education and care.

“We can’t have what happens inside these walls without all of you.”

Moama and District Preschool Committee president Alison Wright and preschool director Narelle Blachford were beaming with pride for their achievement in securing the new site.

For many years, the Moama and District Preschool Committee strongly petitioned for a bigger space due to long wait lists and stretched resources.

“I joined the Moama Preschool Committee in 2018 ... aspirations for a new centre had been on the cards for a little while,” Ms Wright said.

“It was really evident that there were so many missed opportunities for children in our community to attend preschool prior to starting school.

“A small cohort of community members teamed up to explore the options for expanding the preschool.”

Ms Wright and Ms Blachford were emotional when reflecting on the journey undertaken to be standing in the brand-new facility, which was referred to during the construction process as the ‘Taj Mahal’ of preschools.

“The opportunities ahead for the preschool are absolutely enormous,” Ms Wright said.

“We now also get to leverage the knowledge and experience that we’ve had to support other preschool and centres across the region who want to expand and grow as well.”

Deborah O’Neill, duty Senator for Farrer, was delighted to see the finished space.

She reflected on her experience in the education sector and recognised the contribution of the preschool community to deliver the project.

“This is a big day, full of emotion and achievement for you as a community,” she said.

“One of the great things I felt as a teacher myself ... is (that) we have amongst us the people who will find solutions to the challenges of our future. And what we have to do, with wisdom, is invest in them.

“That’s what this is, it’s an investment in the future of our nation because we believe in our future. Why shouldn’t Australian children get the Taj Mahal here in Moama?

“Thank you for your contribution in making it happen.”

The Federal Government committed $2.9 million and the NSW Government awarded $1.5 million to the project through their 2020 Start Strong Capital Works Program.

Murray River Council matched the NSW Government, also committing $1.5 million to the project.

“Both levels of government have been great supporters of many of our community-driven initiatives, so it’s fantastic that they have backed a project like this that will benefit our littlest learners,” Cr Crawley said

“The new preschool is an incredible asset to the town, adding to the consolidation of the area as an education precinct that will service the growing residential development in Moama.”