IN PICTURES: Official opening of the Village Childcare Centre sees more than 60 people attend

The outdoor play area of Albany’s new Village Childcare Centre was filled with more adults than children on Wednesday, as more than 60 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening. Teachers, local government members, politicians and carers observed the opening of the centre, which is housed at the former Stirling Terrace Indoor Markets. After a smoking ceremony by Menang man Larry Blight and a touching welcome to country by Aunty Carol Petterson, centre director Preity Dhaliwal thanked everyone who helped her achieve her vision for the centre with a special nod to late Albany businessman Paul Lionetti. “I met Paul in 2022 and said to him ‘I have this vision for a huge childcare centre, but I don’t have the funds — how about we become partners?’,” Ms Dhaliwal said. “He said I have just the place and brought me here. “I was a bit sceptical about the building and having it in the centre of town, but he was sure it could be done and I’m so grateful I trusted him because here we are now in this beautiful space.”