Hawkesbury District Independent May 2020 #120 | Page 6

LOCAL LIFE
Free preschool for up to six months
Parents in NSW will not have to pay
preschool fees for up to six months
thanks to a $51 million funding package
announced by the NSW Government. 
The NSW Government has also
committed up to $82 million to support
260 council childcare centres who are not
eligible for the JobKeeper payments.  
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said
preschools and early childhood educators
are vital to the community, and it is
important parents continue to have
access to childcare during the COVID-19
pandemic. 
“Parents are under a lot of pressure
at the moment and it’s crucial for them
to continue to have access to childcare,
particularly those working on the frontline
during this crisis,” Ms Berejiklian said. 
“This will also provide funding
certainty during an unpredictable
time, ensuring preschool teachers and
educators can be confident they will
remain employed.    
“This will provide financial relief to
families during the pandemic and ensure
childcare centres remain viable into the
future.”  
The funding will be available to 700
State-funded community preschools and
38 mobile services that provide care to
45,000 three to five year olds. Treasurer
Dominic Perrottet said the recently
announced Working for NSW Fund would
contribute towards the state’s community
preschools. 
“This fund was set up to keep people
in jobs and by supporting the sector,
we’re ensuring the future of these early
childhood services beyond this health
crisis.
“It will also ease cost-of-living
pressures on families in these tough
times.” 
Minister for Education and Early
Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said
the funding means community preschools
and council childcare centres would be
required to remain open, unless they are
closed on health advice. 
“Preschools and council childcare
centres will now have the peace of mind
that they will be financially viable, and
parents will benefit from the relief of not
having to pay any fees,” Ms Mitchell said. 
“Families and children can now also
be assured that their preschool service
will continue to operate, providing some
familiarity for them during these trying
times.” 
This funding is on top of the NSW
Government’s commitment to maintain
Start Strong funding for preschools based
on service enrolments before COVID-19.
Tragedy strikes local business owners
Late last month we received a media
release from the Police stating that an
elderly man has died in hospital after
he and his wife were assaulted during a
home invasion at Cherrybrook.
We are very sad to report that
it has since been revealed that the
couple were the Saliba’s from family
owned Saliba Fruits in Bilpin. Police
say emergency services were called to
Tallowwood Avenue just before 12.30am
on Wednesday 29 April, after reports two
men had forced entry to the home.
The men, who had their faces
concealed, threatened the couple before
4 ISSUE 120 // MAY 2020
assaulting them.
Officers from Ryde Police Area
Command attended and located the
occupants, an 86-year-old man and
84-year-old woman, with serious head
injuries. Both were taken to Westmead
Hospital where sadly the man died a short
time later. His wife (at time of printing) is
believed to be in a stable condition.
An investigation into the incident
is continuing, with local police being
assisted by the State Crime Command’s
Homicide Squad.
Our hearts are with the Saliba family
at this terrible time.
www.hdinews.com.au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT