Community News
The Affordable way to meet School costs
As families plan for next year’s school costs, many will feel pressure to provide their child with a laptop or tablet. We all want our kids to have a 21st century education, but the cost of getting them back to school adds to existing financial pressures and can put a real strain on the budget – especially coming so soon after Christmas.
There is a safe and affordable way to meet ‘back to school’ costs. The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) offers loans of up to $1,500 with no fees, no interest and no charges. Loans can be used for school expenses including books, uniforms, camps, laptops and tablets and repayment plans are set at an affordable amount, so they don’t put further pressure on your finances.
On the other hand, we encourage you to think twice before taking out a consumer lease to cover school expenses. Consumer leases, often called ‘rent to buy’ deals, can see you pay around three times the standard retail price for electronics and white goods. Consumer leases involve renting a product for a few years, before being given the opportunity to purchase the product outright. In dollar terms a ‘rent to buy’ deal will see you pay around $1,800 for a $650 laptop and you will be paying for it for around three years. In a stark contrast, with the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) you only ever repay what you borrowed, so a $650 laptop will cost you just that - $650.
To learn more about NILS and find out if you are eligible, visit www.goodmoney.com.au, or call Good Money Geelong on 1300 770 550.
Well Being Program for Teens
Red Hill Op Shop
WANT TO HAVE FUN AND FEEL GOOD?
Red Hill Op Shop is looking for volunteers to join the group of wonderful men and women who support our organization.
The commitment is just one morning or afternoon once a month and you’ll meet some lovely people at the same time.
If you would prefer not to serve at the counter, there’s lots of other roles you could fill in such as: sorting, helping the area managers display their stock, admin, etc.
We’d love to hear from you, so please contact us to find out more!
Email: redhillopshop@gmail.com or
message us at www.facebook.com/redhillopshop.
Rosebud Heart Soccer
Moonlit Sanctuary
Moonlit Sanctuary Keeper Club
Kids enjoy environmental activities, animal encounters and native animal care.
Day includes: interactions with dingo, python, off-limits animals, feeding animals & food prep, animal enrichment activities. Learn about our animals, their conservation and the environment. For ages 7-14 years.
Summer 2019school holiday dates:
- Week 1: Mon 7th Tue 8th Wed 9th Thu 10th January
- Week 2: Mon 14th Tue 15th Wed 16th Thu 17th January
- Week 3: Mon 21st Tue 22nd Wed 23rdThu 24th January
- 10am–4pm
Cost: $80.00 per day, or $220 for 3 days (pro rata for additional days).
Maximum 16 children per day.
Bookings essential as spaces are limited
Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and remember your hat or raincoat. BYO lunch or purchase at the café.
Moonlit Sanctuary
550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale
Phone 5978 7935
Web: www.moonlitsanctuary.com.au
Open daily between 10am and 5pm