Gowrie’s 2025 Staff Conference

Earlier this year, Gowrie held our Staff Conference at Moonee Valley Racecourse, focusing on the theme of play for professional development and networking. A key feature was the sharing of internal knowledge through interactive breakout sessions led by Gowrie’s own educators, highlighting high-quality practices and fostering critical reflection.

Read more: Gowrie’s 2025 Staff Conference

Broadmeadows Valley’s Achievements

Our Broadmeadows Valley service was re-awarded the Excellent rating against the National Quality Standard (NQS) for the third time, as well as winning the “Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships’ award, in partnership with MacKillop Family Services.

Read more: Gowrie Broadmeadows Valley Achieves Excellent Rating for the Third Time

Read more: Congratulations Broadmeadows Valley – ‘Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships’ Award Winners

New Kindergarten Rooms Open at Broadmeadows Valley and Carlton North

Gowrie Broadmeadows Valley and Carlton North opened new kindergarten rooms in early 2025, thanks to over $4.4 million in grants from the Victorian government, creating 116 additional places for families.

Read more: Gowrie opens new rooms across two services

Gowrie Partners with Restacking the Odds to Boost Kindergarten Attendance

Gowrie Victoria partnered with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Restacking the Odds (RSTO) initiative to tackle low kindergarten attendance, especially among priority groups. Using data dashboards, teams at Broadmeadows Valley (BV) and Carlton Learning Precinct (CLP) identified specific barriers.

Read more: Gowrie Partners with Restacking the Odds to Boost Kindergarten Attendance

Gowrie Victoria and Lady Gowrie Queensland Study Tours

The 2025 Queensland Study Tours, now in their second year, brought 26 educators, teachers, and leaders from 20 Queensland services to Melbourne. This program reinforces the partnership between Gowrie Victoria and Lady Gowrie Queensland, demonstrating a shared commitment to collective growth in the early childhood sector.

Read more: Gowrie Victoria and Lady Gowrie Queensland Study Tours

Children Plan the Playbound Festival at Gowrie at The Harbour

Gowrie at The Harbour, in partnership with Global Play Lab, hosted an interactive discovery lab called ‘Lightscape Explorers’ as part of Museum Victoria’s Playbound Festival in July. The lab encouraged children to investigate light, shadow, and transparency using STEM tools like microscopes and projectors on natural and recycled materials.

Read more: Children Plan the Playbound Festival at Gowrie at The Harbour

Coaching Through School Readiness Funding: A Flexible and Collaborative Approach

Since 2019, Gowrie Victoria’s coaches have worked hard to support kindergartens all over the state through our coaching programs, offered through School Readiness Funding (SRF). We know that what works for one service may not work for another, and this is why we’ve tailored our coaching program to be a blended approach, where educators can access a wide suite of supports and resources.  

Read more: Coaching Through School Readiness Funding: A Flexible and Collaborative Approach

Building Strong Foundations Through the Early Language and Literacy Playgroup

Recognising a need to support families speaking English as an Additional Language (EAL), Gowrie Carlton Learning Precinct launched an Early Language and Literacy Playgroup.

Read more: Building Strong Foundations Through the Early Language and Literacy Playgroup

School Students Get a Glimpse into a Career in Early Childhood

Over the past 12 months, 49 students in years 10-12 from government schools across Victoria participated in the Introduction to Early Childhood for School Students program at The Harbour.

Read more: School Students Get a Glimpse into a Career in Early Childhood