Gowrie Victoria has been coaching within services across Victoria through School Readiness Funding for a number of years. As services begin their two-year planning cycle for 2025 and 2026, we take a look at who the coaches are and how Gowrie is further developing coaching programs for the sector.
Gowrie Victoria’s team of coaches are all very experienced early childhood professionals. They’re based across Victoria, which means they bring a specific knowledge of each context to a coaching conversation as well as an in-depth understanding of the complexities, challenges and rewards faced by teachers and educators.
What makes a good coach? “We know that to be a good coach, you need to be a good listener, be able to support others to reflect and hold the space for them to develop their own thoughts and ideas. Coaching is not about turning up and giving advice, and it has the potential to be a lot more impactful, especially to support change and embed new practices” says Glyn Williams, Executive Manager of Adult Learning at Gowrie.
Gowrie coaches have either completed their coaching accreditation or are working towards this with Growth Coaching International (GCI). This flagship course is delivered over six months with a global cohort and a pathway to individual European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) credentials. Leaders at Gowrie have been undertaking coach training through GCI for a number of years so that frameworks such as the GROWTH Model (Growth Reality Options Will Tactics Habits) become second nature. Both organisations also collaborate on coaching programs delivered on behalf of the Victorian Department of Education.
Over the last couple of years, Gowrie coaching programs have included options for study tours with their coach to Gowrie services in Melbourne, lasting from half a day to two days. In 2025, more of this will be offered alongside a new platform for tools, resources and eLearning.
“We’ve been looking at how else we can support reflection and learning alongside one-on-one coaching. We’ve found that study tours to be very effective as they enable teachers to take a step back, view through a different lens and reflect deeply” adds Glyn. “Demonstration is something that Gowrie Victoria has always been known for, but these days we know that just ‘showing’ or ‘telling’ someone isn’t going to be effective. A blended approach to learning with coaching at its centre is more likely to support the needs of teachers and educators in 2025.”
Gowrie Victoria will soon launch a new platform to support the delivery of professional learning programs, from initial qualifications right up to senior leadership. “Gowrie coaches already draw on different resources or share video and case study examples from Gowrie services in their coaching programs. Our new platform will enable more demonstration as well as being a place for collaboration through discussion groups and communities of practice” explained Glyn.
Gowrie Victoria’s team of coaches are
Rachel Pollitt, Consultant & Coach | Sandringham
Dr Rachel Pollitt has recently completed Accredited Coaching with Growth Coaching International and is a certified CLASS Observer. As well as being a Consultant for Gowrie, she is a Research Fellow in the Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood (REEaCh) Centre, University of Melbourne, which includes the Educational and Developmental Gains in Early Childhood (EDGE) study and delivering professional learning (3a and CLASS).
Leanne Grogan, Consultant & Coach | Bendigo
Leanne has recently completed Accredited Coaching with Growth Coaching International and is also a certified CLASS Observer. Leanne holds a Bachelor of Teaching and has attained a Master’s in Education focused on sustainability education in bush kinder settings. Leanne has spent almost 20 years working as a University Lecturer and Vocational Early Childhood Teacher. Since joining Gowrie, Leanne has worked with over sixty Early Childhood and Kindergarten services in a coaching capacity through the delivery of School Readiness Funding between 2021 and 2024.
Ros Molyneux, Consultant & Coach | Geelong
Ros has over 30 years’ experience in the Early Childhood sector, most recently as Director of Early Learning at The Geelong College, including Educational Leader and Nominated Supervisor roles. Ros’s Masters research focused on parents’ perspectives of play-based learning, and this has informed her practice in recent years. Her other areas of interest include Nature Pedagogy, embedding Indigenous perspectives and exploring the principles of Reggio Emilia, having been fortunate to participate in two study tours to Italy.
Read more about Ros’ nature play sessions for families, Hearth Nature Play
Julie London, Consultant & Coach | Heathcote
Julie has recently completed Accredited Coaching with Growth Coaching International and has almost 40 years’ experience working in the ECEC sector. Julie has held a number of leadership and management roles in a wide range of settings including kindergarten, long day care services and schools where she Julie has extensive experience mentoring, supervising and assessing students. Julie is a consultant, coach and mentor at Gowrie Victoria and works across numerous programs including coaching several teachers and leaders in kindergartens in central and northern areas as part of the Schools Readiness Funding program in regional Victoria.
Luelle Keamy, Consultant & Coach | Cobram
Luelle has recently completed Accredited Coaching with Growth Coaching International and has over 20 years’ experience working in the kindergarten field where she has held many leadership positions. Luelle has successfully led many projects and changes throughout the years such as implementing a Nature Kinder Program, facilitating an Early Years Transition Group and the integration of a Kindergarten Program within a Long Day Care Setting.
Sheleigh Bant, Consultant & Coach | Mildura
Sheleigh’s teaching career in primary and early childhood education has spanned 40 years. The latter half was spent in the North West region of Victoria in an independent, community preschool where she had the opportunity to teach across all educational programs and develop her pedagogy. In addition to working as the EC Teacher, Sheleigh has worked in various roles including Service Director, Nominated Supervisor and Educational Leader. Sheleigh’s most recent work has been as a Preschool Field Officer, providing organisations with practical advice, support, and professional resources and services to enhance their capacity to provide for the inclusion and participation of children with additional needs.
Moira Wade, Consultant & Coach | Narre Warren
Moira has recently completed Accredited Coaching with Growth Coaching International and Moira’s career in the ECEC sector spans across 30 years in teaching, leadership and management roles. Moira’s areas of interest and focus lie in early childhood leadership and advocacy, inclusion and supporting quality improvement at both a service and sector level.
Find out more about coaching at Gowrie
Click here to enquire about SRF Coaching in 2025 and 2026 and make a booking
