The Democratic Labour Party Senator visited Hepburn Kindergarten to donate 28 Australian-made timber chairs.

The donation was part of Senator Madigan’s Australian Manufacturing and Farming Program donations scheme, which provides Australian-made equipment and machinery to schools, paid for by the senator himself.

Mr Madigan was approached by Hepburn Kindergarten assistant Verna Baker, who has known the senator since he was a child. 

Hepburn Kindergarten president Lisa Makara said: ‘‘When we found out about the donation scheme the kindergarten’s secretary, Kelly McDonald approached Senator Madigan with a letter.

 ‘‘The chairs we had were too small for the four-year old group.

‘‘They were okay for the three-year-olds but they were also 25 years old and needed to be replaced.

‘‘By saving money on chairs we can put it into other much needed areas at the kindergarten.’’

The wooden chairs were supplied by Pre-School Equipment in Elsternwick.

The senator did some manual work himself during the visit, with a blacksmithing demonstration for the children and their teachers.

‘‘While all this discussion is going on about the federal budget, I believe the best infrastructure investment we can make is in our children,’’ Senator Madigan said.

Councillor Pierre Niclas thanked the senator for his kind donation and said children at Hepburn Kindergarten would now be able to enjoy the use of the  equipment.

‘‘I would personally like to thank Senator Madigan very much for his support of our local shire schools and kinders and hope that politicians of all persuasions can also follow in these kind footsteps, especially in this an election year,’’ Cr Niclas said.