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REGION - Staff and students at Central Connect Out of School program cheered on the Premier, Dr Denis Napthine as he posed for photographs at the Grape Stomp as part of the 2014 Grampians Grape Escape Food and Wine Festival.
Central Connect, affectionately dubbed, The Farm is part of Ararat College's Satellite VCAL program.
Festival director, David Wheaton was happy to allow the students to use this event as a fund-raiser and praised all their hard work.
"The students picked the grapes on the Thursday prior to the week-end event at Gary Rice's vineyard in Concongella. They picked half a tonne of grapes, which was just enough for the two day event," he said.
Central Connect's co-ordinator and teacher, Barbara Blamey was pleased with the hard work put in by students and parents, who assisted over the weekend.
Mrs Blamey said that this event is a fund-raiser for the Farm program and it gives the students an opportunity to learn about event management and team work.
"Our students are encouraged to be involved in the planning and organising of the whole event, starting from the grape picking, art design, advertising and spruiking, to data collection and the labouring tasks associated with the Grape Stomp," she said.
Mrs Blamey was supported by Youth Connections worker, Francesca Suffield. Mrs Suffield approached many of the exhibitors at the Festival for sponsorship of the children's heats.
"The exhibitors were very generous and offered prizes for the children on both days," she said.
Mrs Blamey was pleased with having 62 stompers over the two day event and is looking forward to planning next year's event.