Gowrie Victoria has received a grant from the Victorian Government to demolish the old resource building at our Carlton North service to build two new children’s rooms.
Earlier this month the building on the corner of Curtain/Canning St was demolished as the first phase of an exciting and historic expansion project. Hoarding was installed around the demolition site with little windows that the children could peer through to watch the diggers and workmen.
Early Learning Manager, Beth, said that the children were incredibly engaged and curious about the demolition process, showing a mix of excitement and curiosity by asking lots of questions about how and why the building is being demolished. The children were asked what they think the new Gowrie is going to look like after the demolition. Elio thinks there will be a thousand trampolines and a climbing frame. Ari says there will be one of those twist things that spins around at the park, while Alfred thinks there will be more trees, Jack says more playrooms, and Queenie thinks there will be a room. “This natural curiosity is a fantastic opportunity for us to foster their understanding of construction and change,” says Beth.
The demolition marks an incredible milestone in Gowrie’s history. The building was opened in December 1939 with the Lady Gowrie Child Care Centre. It originally served as residence for the caretaker, and by 1990 it opened as a resource shop and library to serve the early childhood sector. Later on, the building became office space for Gowrie team members.
Educators are actively engaging the children in learning about the demotion where they can observe and discuss the process safely. Beth says that hands-on activities and experiences are planned within the program while the project happens, so that children can grasp the concept of transformation and renewal. “The children’s voices about what they would like to see Gowrie become are very endearing,” says Beth. “The kinder rooms have launched ‘business meetings’ where the children discuss and sketch their ideas.”
The construction of two new rooms, which will support many children in the community, as part of the Victorian Government Building Blocks Grants program which aims to fund new infrastructure to increase supply to ensure there are enough places to meet capacity for the three and four-year-old kindergarten reform over this decade.
Gowrie Victoria CEO, Susan Anderson, says she is excited about the expansion. “We are grateful to the Victorian Government for a Building Blocks grant and that we can support the Best Start Best Life reforms,” she says. “I’m excited by the development and continuing to providing a great and expanded early learning service to the Carlton North community.” Beth adds to this, saying that they are looking forward to witnessing the growth and development this expansion will bring. “The new rooms will provide expanded and improved learning environments, fostering even more creativity, exploration, and educational opportunities for our children,” she says. “What a chapter to add to the long history of the service.”
