Funding boost for Melton school and scouts

Deanside Primary School students: Senai, Sahib, Hoora, Sehaj and Toby.

By Olivia Condous

Local students and scouts in the Melton area will benefit from a funding boost from AVID Property Group.

Deanside Primary School and the Caroline Springs Scout Group will each receive a $5000 grant to go towards their communities.

Deanside Primary School principal Stuart Telford said the funding would benefit the school as they predicted enrolments to grow substantially with the increasing residential expansion in the area.

“As a new school with only 65 students, we are starting small in terms of resourcing and budget allocation so AVID’s sponsorship money goes a long way in establishing us in the Deanside community,” Mr Telford said.

Mr Telford said the funding would be allocated to the community hub and the purchase of school defibrillators.

Caroline Springs Scout Group secretary Nicole Buck said the welcome grant would allow the club to focus on the events and facilities for their members, rather than worrying about raising funds for new equipment.

“Our scout group is 100 per cent managed and run by a team of volunteers and due to the constant lockdowns and rules regarding group gatherings, the pandemic has had a major impact on our ability to fundraise,” Ms Buck said.

The Scout Group will use the money to purchase five new six-person tents for youth members.

AVID Victoria general manager Peter Vlitas said the company was happy to assist the local community after a difficult year due to the pandemic.

“It is a privilege to become part of the growing community and to provide groups with welcomed funding to start 2022,” Mr Vlitas said.