31 May 2016: Dozens of early childhood professionals gathered at the Swanson Hotel, Erskineville last night to celebrate the launch of Gowrie NSW’s history book.
The book, ‘Gowrie NSW- celebrating 75 years’, written by Associate Professor Frances Press and Dr Sandie Wong documents our journey since the founding of the Lady Gowrie Child Centres in 1940 by Lady Zara Gowrie, the wife of the 10th Governor General.
Current and former board members were among a long list of notable guests, including co- author, Dr Frances Press; the company’s Chief Executive Officer; Gowrie NSW employees and key contributors of the book.
Natalie Grenfell, CEO of Gowrie NSW, said the history book is a celebration of the passion and commitment of all Gowrie educators, past and present.
The book tells a story of change and adaption; including changes in name, funding sources, management, programs and clientele and how this dynamic organisation adapted and extended its programs to respond to the needs of families, especially those facing difficult circumstances.
“Over the past 75 years our not-for-profit organisation has played a vital role in advocating for the importance of childcare and has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering high-quality care for children across NSW,” Ms Grenfell said.
She said the night was a great opportunity to reflect on the past and all of the organisation’s key achievements and milestones over the past seven decades.
“I would like to personally thank everyone who made the time to come and celebrate the launch of our highly anticipated history book,” Ms Grenfell said, adding “None of this could have been possible without authors, Dr Frances Press and Dr Sandie Wong who spent months researching and conducting interviews as well as the ex Gowrie employees who have given up so much of their time to assist with this project.”
About Gowrie NSW
A leader in early childhood for 75 years, Gowrie NSW provides diverse child care, family support and professional development services. Gowrie creates happy, safe and nurturing experiences for children through quality education and care centres including:
Two early childhood centres within Sydney; Three outside school hours and vacation care centres; Specialist crèches that provide child care for newly arrived migrants undertaking AMEP English classes at partner institutions in the Illawarra and Hunter regions, under the Adult Migrant English Program; an early childhood centre in Mudgee and another centre to be opened in Dubbo by the end of 2016.
Gowrie NSW also provides professional development and consultancy services to the early childhood and middle childhood sector, information and referral services for families and early childhood professionals, and consultancy services to corporate organisations to help them meet the child care needs of their employees.
Gowrie NSW also receives federal funding to provide care for the children of those enrolled in the Adult Migrant English Program. Recognising the importance of supporting the whole family, Gowrie NSW runs a parent series to engage, inspire and inform parents, presents on early childhood to parents in corporations and is funded through the State government to run the Child and Family Information Line.
