Students in Daylesford, Hepburn, and surrounding areas are set to benefit from a range of enhanced educational opportunities thanks to initiatives supported by the state government. From early childhood education to creative learning projects and international study tours, these programs will provide enriched experiences that foster learning, creativity, and historical understanding.
A Head Start for Young Learners with Free Kinder Kits
More than 70,000 children starting three-year-old kindergarten in Victoria this year will receive a free Kinder Kit, an initiative aimed at giving young learners the best possible start. The kits, designed by education experts, include a variety of books, toys, and educational materials to support learning through play. Items such as stacking blocks, timber story rollers, playdough, and card games introduce children to early literacy and numeracy concepts while fostering creativity and social skills.
In addition to providing fun and engaging activities, the Kinder Kits help to ease financial pressures on families by supplying essential learning materials at no cost helping to ensure that every child has access to quality early learning resources.
Mary-Anne Thomas, Member for Macedon, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Kinder Kits are a helping hand at a time when every dollar counts. By providing these kits, we’re reinforcing the message that every child deserves access to the resources that support their learning and development.”
Creativity at the Heart of Learning in Hepburn and Kyneton
At the primary school level, students at Hepburn Primary School will soon embark on creative learning projects supported by grants from the Victorian Government’s Creative Learning Partnerships program. A $10,000 grant to Hepburn Primary School will allow students to collaborate with artists, bringing creativity into the classroom in exciting and immersive ways.
Hepburn Primary School students will partner with artist Kathy Holowko to investigate urban wildlife, evolution, and habitat interdependence through an ecology-based creative project. Their exploration will result in the creation of a collaborative sculpture reflecting their findings.
The project is part of a long-running initiative that has engaged students across Victoria in creative learning experiences over the past four decades. Minister for Education Ben Carroll highlighted the program’s impact: “These projects spark curiosity, engage kids in different ways of learning and making sense of the world, and can improve learning outcomes. I look forward to seeing creative projects come to life at schools across Victoria.”
A Journey Through History: Spirit of Anzac Prize
For older students, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits through the 2025 Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize. This initiative will allow twelve Victorian students to embark on a fully funded 11-day study tour to Gallipoli, Türkiye, where they will walk in the footsteps of Australian soldiers who served in World War I.
The tour, which marks the 110th anniversary of the ANZACs’ landing at Gallipoli, provides an immersive way for students to connect with Australia’s wartime history. Applicants, ranging from Years 9 to 12, will be selected based on their reflections on ANZAC values, their community contributions, and their understanding of Australia’s military history. Since its inception, over 500 students have taken part in study tours to battlefields across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, deepening their appreciation for the sacrifices of past generations.
“The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize not only deepens students’ understanding of the ANZAC spirit, but it also creates lifelong memories and friendships that stay with the participants well beyond the tour,” said Mary-Anne Thomas.
Applications are open until Monday, 28 April 2025. To apply or find out more visit www.vic.gov.au/soap.
From the earliest years of education to high school and beyond, students in Daylesford and Hepburn are set to benefit from these programs that nurture learning, creativity, and historical awareness. Whether through hands-on play with Kinder Kits, artistic exploration in primary schools, or international historical study tours, these initiatives reaffirm the importance of providing engaging, meaningful educational experiences for students at every stage of their journey.
This article is based on media releases from the office of Mary-Anne Thomas.
