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Shepparton family’s $60,000 donation transforms school playground

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Showing off the new school playground were (back, from left) principal Luke Simpson, school captains Oscar Ryan, 12, and Joanna Huang, 11, Stephen Copulos, Mary Copulos, Kimberly Giankos, Andrew Giankos, (front, from left) Mia Giankos, 10, Stella Giankos, 10, and Aria Giankos, 7.

The youngsters at Grahamvale Primary School are busy hanging off monkey bars, climbing on playground equipment and sliding on new slides thanks to a $60,000 donation by a Shepparton family.

The Copulos Foundation donated the money to the school to replace all the ageing playground equipment and for some other school improvements.

Stephen Copulos said he and wife Mary like that they have been able to support the school, as they have grandchildren who are students there.

“We’re born and bred in Shepparton and we support the local community,” Mr Copulos said.

“We are proud of our community and we like to support our community and child education.”

This is the third school in the Shepparton area to which the foundation has donated money.

Mary and Stephen Copulos donated $60,000 through the Copulos Foundation to the school. They are pictured with their grandchildren Mia Giankos, 10, Stella Giankos, 10, and Aria Giankos, 7, who are all students at Grahamvale Primary School.

Grahamvale Primary School principal Luke Simpson said he was pleased the school was able to install the new playground equipment in what was now known as the Copulos Colourful Playground at the school.

While the students have been able to play on the equipment all year, it was only officially opened on July 23 by Stephen and Mary Copulos, and their daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Andrew Giankos.

“It’s packed every day,” Mr Simpson said.

“It’s a great meeting place for the students.”

The Copulos Colourful Playground is “packed every day”.

Mr Simpson said he would like to thank the Copulos family for the donation and for their support of the school.

“We’ve been very fortunate and are very grateful,” he said.

“All the students benefit from this generous donation.

“It’s a great improvement to our overall school community.”