Fired up over child gym job - Irate parents petition council

ANGRY parents have started a petition following Corangamite councillors' decision not to reappoint Ed Gym co-ordinator Geanelle Searle.Ms Searle has co-ordinated the service - which offers young children physical activity sessions on gym equipment as well as social interaction - for seven years.Narelle Kerr, a Camperdown mother who has two daughters attending Ed Gym, began a petition after the council told Ms Searle her services were no longer needed and the contract would be handed over to the Ballarat YMCA."We wanted it to stay local," Ms Kerr said. "We have nothing against the YMCA, but Geanelle has been running it for seven years and has been great."The kids all love her and she adds that personal touch, whether it be celebrating a kid's birthday or getting Santa to visit."The parents were angry the council didn't consult them, Ms Kerr said."We're the ones who are utilising the facilties, so why weren't we told what was happening?"Corangamite Shire Mayor Ruth Gstrein said it was a contract decision so parents would not normally be consulted.Councillors decided to hand over the contract because the YMCA offered two instructors. "We will have two quality instructors so if one is sick or unavailable, the program can still run," Cr Gstrein said.Parents were also concerned that session times would be altered. "Everything will stay the same," Cr Gstrein said."The YMCA are very capable operators and they will run the same service, if not a slightly better service."The parents all felt sorry for Ms Searle who, according to Ms Kerr, was shocked with the decision. "She is going to miss the children more than anything," Ms Kerr said. "... Because of this, all of a sudden she is out of a job."Cr Gstrein, who believed the YMCA would advertise to employ local instructors, said Ms Searle wasn't being sacked. "We have been very happy with Geanelle but she isn't being sacked at all."She was unsuccessful in being appointed, that's what has happened." More than 20 families have signed the petition. The remaining 30 families who use the service are expected to add their signatures in the next couple of weeks."The majority of parents will definitely be signing," Ms Kerr said. "Just look at how many turned up today and this is from a last-minute ring around at the busiest time of the year. "It shows we are all concerned."We're hoping it might make them rethink their decision."Camperdown families are not the only ones using Ed Gym.Families from Lismore, Terang, Colac, Timboon and Cobden also attend.