19 Feb 2016 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Shane Douthie Sdouthier Ne Com Au $50,000 for more shade CHILDREN and staff at the Wangaratta Integrated Childrens Services Centre will enjoy more time and space outdoors thanks to a $30,400 grant announced by Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) on Wednesday. It was part of $50,000 in funding announced to provide much needed protection to Wangaratta facilities from harmful UV rays by increasing the provision of shade in the community. Ms Symes, who visited the Wangaratta Integrated Childrens Services Centre to announce the funding, also announced grants funding for shades at Appin Park Kindergarten, Jubilee Golf Club and Killawarra Rural Fire Station and community building and for the Rural City of Wangaratta. She said Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and melanoma is one of the most common cancers in Victoria. Shade is a simple and effective way to protect ourselves from the sun and by doing so reduces the likelihood of deadly skin cancer and I am delighted to deliver this funding for Wangaratta, Ms Symes said. These grants will provide our community in Wangaratta with more shaded areas so everyone can enjoy their time outdoors safely. Council administrator Irene Grant said the funding would benefit children and staff and make the outdoor play area a far more user-friendly space. Outdoor play is so important for young children and this will enable them to play safely outside, Mrs Grant said. Emily Stone, team leader family and early childhood services at the centre, said the additional shade cover would not only help the centre meet the highest Australian standards as a Sunsmart centre, but it would also assist in expanding the outdoor play area by approximately 50 per cent as part of the Big Backyard project. At present we have one shade sail and as the sun moves across the sky so does the area protected, Ms Stone said. This will allow us to have three shade sails and provide cover the entire day. Caption Text: LOOKING FOR COVER: Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) leads Aidan Wilkinson and Vivienne Giglio in the outdoor play area at the Wangaratta Integrated Childrens Services Centre, followed by centre team leader Emily Stone with Charlie Wright and Mia Thompson, and Rural City of Wangaratta chief executive officer Brendan McGrath and council administrator Irene Grant. Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au)