The four-year-old preschoolers practise their bike-riding skills through the Road Safety and Bike Riding Program.
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The Goulburn Region Preschool Association is celebrating after Nathalia and District Preschool was named a finalist in the 2025 Victorian Early Years Awards — a statewide celebration recognising the outstanding contributions of early childhood professionals who improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for children across Victoria.
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The Nathalia preschool has been recognised in the Promoting Children’s Health and Wellbeing category for its Road Safety and Bike Riding Program, which helps children build confidence, safety awareness and a sense of community connection through hands-on outdoor learning.
Developed in 2022 as part of the Early Learning Association Australia’s Starting Out Safely Road Safety Education Inquiry Project, the initiative has involved support from the TAC, Royal Children’s Hospital and Victoria Police.
Early childhood teacher Andrea Sutton said the program had become a highlight of the preschool year.
“We start by learning to listen, follow directions and recognise road signs before venturing into the community,” she said.
“Our four-year-olds practise bike riding at the Nathalia Recreation Reserve and later take part in extended rides — last year we even crossed the old Echuca-Moama Bridge.”
GRPSA early childhood manager Lauren Lazarevski said the nomination was a testament to the team’s dedication.
“The Nathalia educators continually go above and beyond for their children and community, delivering programs that genuinely enhance learning and wellbeing,” she said.
Also representing the Goulburn Valley as finalists at this year’s awards are Family Haven – Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, recognised under for ‘Supporting Parents to Build their Capacity and Confidence’, and Mooroopna Primary School, recognised under ‘Continuity of Early Learning’ for its Mooroopna Oral Language Initiative.
Winners of the 2025 VEYA will be announced on November 6.
Families can learn more about GRPSA’s free three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs at grpsa.com.au
The Nathalia and District Preschoolers practise their bike-riding skills at the Nathalia Recreation Reserve.
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Contributed
Once confident, the preschoolers venture out into the community, riding along the levy banks and on the footpaths.
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