Kumbia Kindy Is Really Growing

20140520 Kumbia Kindergarten — Growing plants for western Queenland gardens … back row, Lateesha Gallagher, 4; Katie Whiteman, 3; and Phoebie Doran, 3; front row, Elijah Entwistle, 3; Chloe Horrocks, 3; and Ben Horrocks, 3

May 23, 2014

Fears that Kumbia Kindy may have had to close at the end of the year have been relieved … and to prove that it’s alive and growing, the children have been growing something of their own.

Earlier this year, the kindy parents feared that because the contract for its “legacy” funding guarantee expired at the end of this year, they may have to close.

However kindy director Verelle O’Shanesy said they have since received assurances that funding would be ongoing, however it would no longer be indexed.

One of the things the children have been learning about is the plight of farming familes out west, who have been badly affected by drought.

Verelle said the children began planting and tending flowers to help restock house gardens in the west under the title “Plants Of Promise”.

Then they heard that the “Green Thumbs Express” was ready to roll from Kingaroy.

Kingaroy resident Wendy Tully, who has extensive family connections in western Queensland, will now pick up the plants from the kindy and taking them to the property ‘Bunginderry’, west of Quilpie, from where they will be distributed.

She will also be taking out plants supplied by members of Kingaroy Rotary and Kingaroy Quota clubs, and collecting more plants at the upcoming Awesome Day Roadshow in Kingaroy on June 1 which is being organised by the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health Rural.

Wendy is the Kingaroy connection for the “Green Thumbs Express” , but the project – the brainchild of Annabel and Gay Tully – is much larger than just this.

In fact, it has now grown to the point where it even has its own Facebook page

The plants will be distributed on June 15 at ‘Bunginderry’ or August 23 at ‘Retreat’, near Jundah.

People who would like to help “replant the West” by striking cuttings, potting plants or donating purchased plants, can contact Verelle on 0427-310-861 or (07) 4163-6229.

PS. The Kumbia Kindergarten is not only growing plants, it’s growing in numbers, too. After having just four children earlier this year, there are now now nine enrolled.