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Nathalia preschoolers take on ride of their lives in Moama

By Oliver Shedden

Nov 1, 2024

The preschoolers were all smiles at Moama Soundshell after completing their big ride across the bridge. Photos: Aidan Briggs. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Children from Nathalia and District Preschool rode over the Echuca-Moama bridge to complete their road safety and bike riding program on Tuesday, October 29.

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Throughout the year, the children have been engaging in the road safety and bike riding program to become aware of making safe choices and become safe pedestrians and cyclists in their communities.

The big finale of their course was a journey to Echuca-Moama bridge where, under supervision, the children were able to ride across the bridge at 11am.

They could take in the scenery of the Murray River as they rode on the footpath and see the vehicles passing by.

After they finished their ride, the kids were treated to an ice block and a relaxing afternoon in the park.

The preschoolers stuck close to one and other. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Nathalia and District Preschool educational leader and teacher Andrea Sutton emphasised the importance of the program for the children’s awareness and development, particularly for when they begin school.

“One of the main goals of our program was to get the children out into the community; a lot of them are farm kids, so they don’t necessarily have street sense,” she said.

“We start them off with basic road safety skills and then progress through to the bikes as the program goes along.

“It’s really good for their development; while they are riding, they are using all of their body and motor skills.”

Callan Jorgensen, Noah Holmes, Tom Kellow, Arlo Walpole, Edwin Lindsay and Lexi Williams relax in the shade after their ride. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Ms Sutton highlighted that despite the final ride of the program not being in the regular location, that it was good to get the children in a new and challenging environment.

“Every year we usually finish our program at the Elmore Field Days, but that was during the holidays, so we decided to ride them across the bridge,’’ she said.

‘’It’s good to get them to do something new and different and present them with a challenge.

“The children have accepted the challenge.

‘’There were lots of nerves as we started off, and as they headed across the bridge I thought a few would stop, but they just kept going and taking in the scenery, so I am very proud of them.”