As East Sale Kindergarten celebrates its 60th year of operation from our home here on the RAAF Base & on behalf of the staff, children & families, we welcomed a number of visitors to our centre on Thursday 8th May to celebrate the launch of the 'FriendShip':
- Practice Leader Sue Grogan-Williams - UnitingCare Gippsland (our Cluster Manager)
- Wing Commander Jim Svede & Chaplain Bruce Grey - East Sale RAAF Base
- Ian Riley & Regina Regulska - Fulham Correctional Centre
- Phil Ireland & Martin DeWys - Sale Bunnings
Special mention must also go to some others involved in this project who were not at the official launch last week:
- Darryl Donohue - Dulux
- Wendy Reeves - who created our flags
- Donna Niewenhuys (Sprint Screen Printing) - who added the images to our flags
- Col Carmody (Carmody's Tyre Service) - recycled tyre donations for our landscaping around the 'FriendShip'
The dream for a boat here at East Sale Kindergarten for children to explore their fantasies was born by Mrs. Murray. As we all know, Mrs. Murray loves her pirates & she wanted our children to have the opportunity to sail the seven seas of this world any day that they were at East Sale Kindergarten.
This dream was shared a few years ago with me & I thought it would a wonderful addition to our already fantastic outdoor play space. We endeavoured (along with numerous families) to find a second hand boat that could be refurbished & find its place in our playground - but unfortunately we were all unsuccessful.
Not giving up on the dream though, it was right in the spot where the 'FriendShip' now sits, that our idea was shared Ian Riley from the Fulham Correctional Centre & the seed was planted for the construction of the wonderful vessel that stands in our playground today!
We were able to share in the journey of the construction of the 'FriendShip' along the way & the children's excitement built with every image that was shared with us.
Nearing it's completion, it was then that we approached Bunnings here in Sale to assist with the provision of paint to bring the 'FriendShip' to life. We were delighted to hear the Dulux was onboard with our project & the paint was so very kindly donated.
Whilst we chose the colours that were already represented in our outdoor environment, the painted scheme was left solely in the hands of Ian & his crew & we are absolutely thrilled with the outstanding job that they have done. I'm sure everyone would agree too!
The 'FriendShip', once complete was ready to sail it's way into our outdoor environment & it was thanks to the RAAF Base here at East Sale for the use of a forklift & driver that saw that event take place.
Three sections of the 'FriendShip' were carefully manoeuvred into position & with the assistance of some of our kindergarten families, she was bolted together & ready for the children to explore the very next day!
Many adventures onboard the 'FriendShip' have already taken place & we are sure there will be many more to follow. With her flags hoisted, the 'FriendShip' was officially set sail by Mrs. Murray christening her in a showering of glitter (of course!) before all the children did exactly the same & came onboard for a celebration photo!
Thank-you Ian Riley & your crew at the Fulham Correctional Centre - without your inspirational ideas & hard work, this dream would never have come to fruition - the children at East Sale Kindergarten, as they sail the seven seas each day, can't thank you enough!
Shirley Fyfe
