We were pleased to welcome Dr Tim Read, our local state MP, to our Carlton North service to raise the profile of early learning.
Dr Read visited the service as part of Early Learning Matters Week (5-9 August) which is about celebrating the impact of early learning on children, families and communities, as well as highlighting the wonderful work of teachers and educators across the country.
Having cycled past the building many times on the way to his office, Dr Read was always curious to know what Gowrie was about. He researched the organisation and our history and was very impressed. We invited Dr Read to visit Carlton North for the Gowrie community campfire picnic where children and their families could chat and mingle with one another and the educators over the campfire and enjoy delicious food such as snags and freshly baked cinnamon scrolls.
Nicole Pilsworth, Executive Manager of Early Learning, took Dr Read on a tour throughout the service talking about our history, philosophy and our advocacy work for higher wages for the early childhood sector. “Welcoming Dr Tim Read to Gowrie Carlton North was a great opportunity to share the great work that teachers and educators do everyday and demonstrate how high-quality early learning positively impacts children’s and families’ lives,” says Nicole.
Dr Read spent some time chatting with families and understanding why they chose Gowrie as a service they wanted their children to learn in. Early Childhood Teacher Evie said that it was very exciting to have Dr Read visit the service and interact with the Gowrie Carlton North community. “Seeing Dr Read engaged with educators, children and parents in the yard showed a greater connection between the Gowrie community and the local representative, symbolising the importance of early childhood education in society,” says Evie. “We felt a sense of pride when we showcased our service and our programs and felt confident to talk about how play-based education is crucial in the child’s learning, development, and well-being.”
Early childhood education and care has been high on the agenda in federal politics this month too after the Government recently announced wage increases for those in the early childhood sector. Gowrie Victoria CEO Susan Anderson was delighted to hear news of the wage increase. “Gowrie is proud to be part of this agreement, showing our commitment to advocate for professional wages and terms and conditions for the sector.”
