PENNANT HILLS WAR MEMORIAL CHILDREN'S CENTRE SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby—Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation) (19:41): I pay tribute to a special organisation in the Hornsby community. The Pennant Hills War Memorial Children's Centre will be celebrating its seventieth anniversary, making it the longest-running childcare centre in the country. Known to locals as "Shields Lane", the preschool started in modest buildings with only 18 students. That is a little different from today, when 125 children come through the doors each week. In the 1940s, local parents formed a committee to provide better educational opportunities for children in the area. Many avenues were followed, including one local, Mrs Kabel, running a children's library on her front verandah.
But the parents still wanted a preschool, so after a number of years of fundraising and a donation from the Hornsby Shire Council, the committee was able to purchase land in Warne Street. Officially opened on 18 May 1948, it was originally set up as a public memorial to the Second World War, which meant that the centre qualified for tax concessions. There were 18 students, who were housed in wooden buildings with modest equipment, but the facility did include a swing and sandpit—something we will still find in many preschools today. The first director was Jean Reid, and children would bring toys from home to play with and their own mattresses to rest on the floor. Word spread of the wonderful preschool and enrolments increased quickly to 34 by the following year.
However, it was not until 1951 that the preschool was fully established. In the early days, a great deal of assistance was provided by members of the parent committee, who often cleaned, donated items and raised funds for new equipment. By the end of the 1950s, the preschool had grown to 40 students a day and there was a need for bigger facilities. The Hornsby Shire Council acted as guarantor for a loan, which saw the purchase of a new wing. This enabled the preschool to grow and accept up to 60 children a day. Ten years later there was a further need for the preschool to grow, and that is when it was decided to build a new kindergarten facing Shields Lane. That is why the preschool came to be nicknamed "Shields Lane".
It is undeniable that the community has had a great love for this preschool throughout its history. From its beginnings to this day, parents have been the backbone of creating and ensuring the preschool's success. There have been more fundraisers than I could ever mention. I thank every parent—and there have been many over the past 70 years—who has contributed to this wonderful community preschool's success. The preschool started with a parent committee and that arrangement has continued to this day. Run by a dedicated group of volunteers, the management committee oversaw the running of the preschool.
I thank the current committee headed up by President James Noble and the senior vice-president Huw Pollock, along with their team: vice-president, Claire Rampling; secretary, Carlie Titley; assistant secretary, Merissa Barden; treasurer, Sonya Tong; and general members Bernadette Whiting, Julie Jackson, Kerie Luke and Aldis Liepens. Looking after the social activities and the fundraising efforts at the preschool is the Parent Club headed up by Emma Ottery and Gemma Haggenmueller. Having a supporting parent community is what draws so many families to choose this wonderful preschool.
Some notable ex-former students include former Hornsby mayor and current President of the Liberal Party, His Worship Philip Ruddock. His father, Max Ruddock, who was the former Mayor of Hornsby Shire, was one of the original committee members who worked to see the preschool open. Also attending the preschool was former member for Ku-ring-gai and New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell. The preschool clearly has a knack for producing great political leaders. In many cases, several generations of families have attended the preschool. Grandmother Dale Turnbull went to the centre in 1956 and now drops off her grandson Noah there.
The success of the preschool would not happen without amazing staff. I take this opportunity to thank the wonderful people who work there. I thank them for the incredible work they do in providing a nurturing environment in which children learn and grow. Current director, Jill Crispe, leads a team of six early childhood teachers: Jodie Elliot, Alison Gierek, Nerida Hall, Ann Lincoln, Sue Rosenblum and Cathy White. These teachers are supported by Ginny Fox, Georgie James, Dianne Gunstone, Myra Lucky, Laudie Miate, Rose Moait, Eva O'Hara, Jane Pines, Sandra Sosic, Sam Thomson and Lorraine Zeiter. In the office, Margo Leggott ensures the preschool runs smoothly.
The anniversary will be held officially on 27 May, with a display of photos from 1968 to the present. Former staff member Jenny Taylor has been working hard putting together a full history of the preschool for the celebration. Author Lesley Gibbes will read her stories and there will be a welcome to country and smoking ceremony. I congratulate the Pennant Hills War Memorial Children's Centre on reaching this impressive milestone and I hope it continues to provide education for the young people of the Hornsby shire for another 70 years. I take this opportunity to acknowledge particularly the parents, past and present, for the incredible work they do in providing a wonderful education experience for all kids who go through this wonderful preschool.
