Kindergarten

This plaque is located outside the kindergarten at 43 Victoria St.

Great excitement at our kindergarten during 2021 when government grants of $689,000 (State) and $260,000 (Federal) completely transformed the building and the program offered.

The kindergarten community has worked hard over many years to make improvements to the facility, including renovating the kitchen, adding a store room and playground equipment, all supported by Corangamite Shire and government grants.

But this new funding was especially significant because it supported an extension of the three-year-old program. An additional playroom has made 15 hours of weekly two years ‘before-school’ kindergarten a reality.

The upgrade also allowed the kindergarten to become part of an integrated family service centre where parents can get maternal child health support.

The kindergarten’s aim is to provide children, aged three to six, with a well-rounded fun and educational experience. The children are exposed to many different learning experiences and play opportunities in a safe and engaging environment.

Founded as the Cobden Play Centre in 1955 and held in the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Sunday School Hall, dedicated parents and teachers ran the centre with permission from the Health Department.

In 1962, Heytesbury Shire Council applied for grants to build a dual building to house a new infant welfare centre and a new pre-school centre. In 1965, the modern brick veneer centre was built at a cost of £8390, with the Play Centre committee also contributing funds.

In the 1990s, district kindergartens moved into a cluster management scheme with the Corangamite Shire employing staff, managing the grounds etc. Parent committees still assisted in fundraising for new equipment, as well as daily assistance with fruit duties, gardening and maintenance.

Life Membership: For their dedication to establishing the kindergarten: Elsie Denney, Nancy Morris, Margaret Mounsey, Enid Smith, Heather McArthur and Muriel Stewart.

Staff who have worked at the Kindergarten over its long history include Cheryl McMahon, Jenny Morris, Pam Beames, Julie Evans, Karina Trewin, Cherie Norton, Karina Board, Julie Wallace, Kate Bushell, Bronwyn Conway, Glenda Tesselaar, Kerryn Cain, Sue Ralph, Kelly Jeffery, Michelle de Bie, Teresa Frost, Shefali Sardona and Suzanne Brown.