In Memory of Susan Margaret Joan Wilms (née Harper)

14 August 1942 – 24 October 2025

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Susan Wilms, a former Gowrie Victoria Board member and CEO.

Colleagues and peers remember Sue as a mentor, graceful, purposeful and intelligent, a champion for children’s rights, and a tireless advocate for professional standards. Her influence continues through the many educators she inspired and the policies and practices she helped shape across Australia and internationally.

Sue joined Gowrie Victoria as CEO in 1990 and at her first AGM spoke of ambitions to upgrade the facilities and equipment at Carlton North to create the best environment for children and families; to deliver closer links with training institutions; to pursue corporate sponsorship to support research and to establish a Resource Centre for the sector.

Sue’s career spanned decades of service and leadership and in January 2001 she was awarded the Centenary Medal for Outstanding Services to Children’s Services. She is remembered for her contribution to establishing the National Childcare Accreditation system. She held prominent roles in many organisations, including the Australian Association of Early Childhood Educators, was an honorary Life Member of Early Childhood Australia, served on the Board of the Queen Elizabeth Centre and was a member of the Victorian Children’s Council.

After leaving her position at Gowrie in 1997, Sue served as President of OMEP Australia and was instrumental in bringing the XXIV World Congress of OMEP to Melbourne in July 2004, a milestone event that advanced global dialogue on equity and quality in early childhood education and for which she was awarded the Order of Australia in June 2006.

Sue also supported the implementation of the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework. Sue was a remarkable leader and advocate for early childhood programs. She was truly a force to be reckoned with—always strong in her vision for quality, for children, the early childhood profession and for collaboration with colleagues with expertise in health, education and family support.

We honour Sue’s extraordinary contribution and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the early childhood community across Australia.