Grant helps kids get fit

By Kelly Yates
STUDENTS at Fleetwood Primary School are getting fit and healthy after scoring a $1200 grant to buy new sports equipment.
The Narre Warren school, which was formerly Hallam Valley Primary School, is among 625 community not-for-profit organisations across Australia sharing in $750,000 from the Telstra Foundation this year.
Fleetwood Primary School principal Kerry Coffey said the school was thrilled with getting money from Telstra’s Kids Fund.
“We’ve now got sports equipment for each classroom,” she said.
“The students can borrow and return the equipment from their own classrooms. There’s more for them to do.”
Telstra Foundation chairman and Olympic gold medallist Herb Elliott said the Telstra Foundation was committed to developing the skills and talents of young children at key, impressionable stages of their lives.
“Telstra Foundation is proud the Telstra’s Kids Fund grants are making a positive and lasting difference to children in local communities throughout the nation,” he said.
“The equipment and activities purchased with the grants, not only assists the current group of children, but also those children who will follow in the years to come.”
Since it was established in 2002, the Telstra Foundation has provided more than $32 million to more than 6000 projects and programs.
Community groups to receive the grants over the years have included schools, art and culture groups, sport and recreational clubs, disability services and environmental organisations.
Berwick Chase Primary School, David Collins Kindergarten in Endeavour Hills and Maramba Primary School also received grants this year.