Lady Gowrie
The Range Community Kindergarten has chosen The Gowrie (Qld) as our central governing body.
The Gowrie Queensland is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation, with a proud and substantial history in providing services for young children and families. The Range Community Kindergarten is represent by The Gowrie (Qld) Inc. - Lady Gowrie Community Kindergartens.
The Gowrie (Qld) Inc. is a non-profit, early childhood organisation and a member of the National
Consortium, Gowrie.
What does affiliation with The Gowrie mean?
Being affiliated with The Gowrie means our Kindergarten Association meets all the high standards required to hold a licence to operate an early childhood centre, and access Government funding:
The Range Community Kindergarten is community owned and controlled:
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It is administered by an elected committee of association of members - usually parents
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The Range Community Kindergarten Association Inc. is governed by an approved constitution in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999. This document is available for perusal by parents
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The Association employs a qualified University-trained early childhood teacher
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It has an approved educational curriculum
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It maintains an approved ratio of staff to children
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It provides a building and outdoor play area of approved design
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It owns adequate and suitable equipment for both indoors and outdoors
The Range Community Kindergarten is licensed by the Office for Early Childhood and Care under the Child Care Act 2002 and Child Care Regulation 2003. The centre must meet the requirements for activities, experiences and programs, numbers of staff members and children, and staff members' qualifications according to the legislation. From 2012, the Kindergarten will undergo assessment in relation to the National Quality Framework and National Quality Standards.
Who was Lady Gowrie?
Lady Zara Gowrie: though from a privileged background and wife of the Governor-General, Lady Gowrie was a woman ahead of her time. She stood by her philanthropic principles in order to achieve something that has endured since Gowrie NSW first opened at Erskineville in 1940 - one of Australia's first model early childhood centres, aimed at improving the well being of children through quality education, child and health care.
The idea of giving disadvantaged children a good start in life, while universally accepted today, was radical for its time. Lady Gowrie's speech, given at the opening of the Lady Gowrie Centre in Melbourne, 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II, gives an insight into her pioneering outlook:
‘Our children are our greatest hope, and anyone doing work for children these days is doing national work and giving splendid war service. Not only must we stand by our soldiers but we must also stand by our soldiers’ children… I am enchanted with this lovely building… just what is needed to bring up children healthy both in mind and body. Every thinking person must realise that when this bitter strife is over, we must build up a better world, and it is only through the children that this can be done.’
Though a very different organisation and much more diverse than it was in 1940, the continuing thread of standing by children, families and communities is the 70 year legacy Gowrie carries into its operational philosophy today. To meet the major social, economic and political changes of the last 70 years, Gowrie has had to be flexible, strong and, on occasion, risk-taking. The organisation has had to change with the times and explore new areas of practice, spearheading work in equity and children’s rights, something Gowrie continues to pursue with a passion.
It is these forward-thinking attributes that enable Gowrie to be robust in its service delivery, to be adaptable and creative in its thinking, to be nimble and willing to meet the challenges and opportunities as they arise in the future.
