Vacation care back

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE’S Vacation Care Program will be back in full swing for the June holidays after a survey of parents indicated a viable need for the service.
The program was threatened with closure in March after just a year in operation with the service provider, Upper Yarra Community House (UYCH), saying the program was under-utilised and no longer viable.
After two months of negotiation between the stakeholders – Healesville Vacation Care Parents Action Committee Team (HVC PACT), Shire of Yarra Ranges, UYCH, and McEwen MP Fran Bailey – it was announced last week that the program will go ahead.
HVC PACT spokesperson, Janette Dawe, said a new survey of parents indicated there was sufficient demand for the program.
“Of the 887 surveys distributed to local schools, we had 135 responses – a good result,” Ms Dawe said.
The program will run weekdays at Healesville Primary School from Monday, 19 June, to Friday, 30 June.
A booking evening will be held at Healesville Primary School on Thursday, 8 June, between 5.30pm and 7pm.
Contact Sheryl Woods at UYCH on 5967 1776 (Monday and Tuesday), 5967 2776 (Wednesday to Friday) or send an email to sherylwoods@uych.org.au.