Gazette 2024

Staff Reminders

UPCOMING PAY REMINDERS

Pay Date – 1st January 2025
Payslips will be emailed to staff on 24th December 2024 due to the Christmas closure. The pay will be processed on the 24th December 2024 with funds being transferred on 31st December 2024. This is one day earlier than the scheduled pay date of 1st January 2025.

Pay Date – 15th January 2025
Payslips will be emailed to staff on 15th January 2025.

The wage increase will be applied from the first full pay period after 19th December 2024 which will be processed on the 15th January 2025. Employees can expect to see the Enterprise Agreement Wage Increase in their pay on this date.

The ECEC Grant Increase will also be in this pay and will be backdated to 2nd December 2024.

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE

Please be advised that all Lady Gowrie Tasmania services/offices and programs will close for Christmas break at the usual time on Tuesday 24th December, 2024 and will re-open on Thursday 2nd January, 2025.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

As part of your employment, LGT offers you an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Relationships Australia Tasmania, free-of-charge. This gives you a safe and confidential place away from your workplace where you can talk about concerns you are having at work or at home. You can usually access up to 3 free sessions. More sessions can be negotiated if required.

Employee Assistance Program
1300 364 277
tas.relationships.org.au

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Have you joined our Community of Practice? All educators are invited to join the Lady Gowrie Tasmania Community of Practice (CoP) which is a private online collaboration and shared learning space that connects centres and educators across the organisation using the Storypark platform. It enables successful practice and innovation to be shared by educators, peer-to-peer learning opportunities and fosters a deeper sense of connection with the wider organisation. If you haven’t engaged with this platform recently then please check it out, comment and contribute! If you haven’t accepted your invitation to join, please speak to your Service Manager to be reinvited!

HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?

If you would like to share any personal or professional news, celebrations or achievements in the Gowrie Gazette please contact our Marketing and Communications Officer, Claudia Holter, via email claudia.holter@gowrie-tas.com.au or phone (03) 6230 6838.

From People and Culture

THE FESTIVE SEASON AND OUR WELLBEING

Summer time, the festive season, the end of the year and the beginning of a new year can be a joyous happy time. A time for celebration and connecting with family and friends. It’s when we indulge in traditions along with long held and newly formed rituals that come with the time of year. We tend to be more social, eat more, drink more, and we treat our loved ones and ourselves. We tend to want to make it a special memory making time for those that we love. Sometimes we can place pressure on ourselves which can be stressful, and we can find ourselves ‘burning the candle at both ends’ more than any other time of the year. However, for many of us we look forward to this time of the year and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

As we are reading this newsletter it’s likely homes will be decorated, menus will be planned, for some hams will be in the fridge and puddings will be hanging. We start to wear our festive earrings, pyjamas or put tinsel in our hair and we are likely to know who our Secret Santa is. We might be dusting off our party clothes or working out what gift to buy for that person who seems to have it all. We could be listening to Christmas carols whilst wrapping gifts and adding to our to do lists. We could be looking forward to watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race or the Boxing Day Test whilst eating leftovers or simply hanging out for some down time.

For some, it will mean keeping the traditions and rituals of the season alive and for others, it may be the beginning of brand new traditions and rituals. For most we will be connecting with others, we will think of those who can’t be with us, and we will remember those who are no longer with us. Whether you decide to deep dive and embrace the cheer of the season, take it easy and chill or whether you sit somewhere in the middle, it truly can be a magical wonderful time of the year.

It is true that for some it isn’t always a time of the year that brings joy and celebration, rather it can be the hardest time of the year. There are many reasons why this could be the case and should you, a loved one or someone you know find this a difficult time of the year, please see the below contacts/links that can provide support throughout the festive season. Remember the festive season can mean something different to other people and may bring up different feelings. For you it may be a time of joy and celebration but not everyone will feel the same. It is a time to be kind and gentle with ourselves and with each other and to remember that compassion and kindness is a powerful way to make a real difference.

However you spend this time of the year, we hope you find time to relax and re-charge, we hope you experience the love of family and friends, and we wish you all a truly fabulous time and every happiness.

Cindy Woolley
MANAGER EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY CALL 000

Lifeline – 131 114 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention)

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention for children and young people aged 2 to 25)

Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 (24/7 support line)

13 YARN – 139 276 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People)

Qlife –1800 184 527 (LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral line)

Access Mental Health Helpline – 1800 332 388 (24/7 support, information and referral line)

MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 (24/7 counselling service for men)

Family Violence – Call 000 if anyone is in imminent danger or 1800 633 937 (24/7 Referral and Response Line)

1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7 support for people impacted by sexual assault and family violence)

Sexual Assault – 1800 697 877 (24/7 sexual assault support)

Find Help Tas Website – www.findhelptas.org.au

Staff News

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSAREIS

To the people who have reached significant anniversaries at LGT this year, thank you for your passion and dedication to the children, families, clients and learners in our services and programs. We truly value you and your commitment to our organisation.

5 Years

Huihui Yuan, Katherine Hill, Crystal Maccabe, Kate Iles, Keelyn Bogert, Joanna Kaine, Melissa Barker, Emma Gould, Racquel Aram, Jessica Poland, Shashi Bala, Tiarna Blair, Amandeep Kaur, Nida Shah, Crystal Tyler, Natalie Cowie, Amy Carlyon-Loveless, Sophie Muir, Lisa Coles, Alison Dowd, Emily Godfrey, Olivia Jackson, Sharon Salter, Courtney Hobbs, Samuel Wesson, Stacey Rodgers, Xinrui (Bella) Song, Kathleen Uren, Chloe Bernardis, Terri Murphy, Pauline Benson, Ganiek Pulford, Angela Sands, Kate Kean, Alma Bartle, Emma Marshall, Liliarna Springfield.

10 Years

Toby Fishwick, Ian Wierenga, Alissa Hall, Keetah McConchie, Alice Wong, Sarah Hatton, Meaghan Kearnes, Bosiljka Brooks, Tracey Munday, Brooke Harriss, Nakita Walker, Kate Beckett.

15 Years

Stephanie Mitchell, Patricia Thomas, Tanya Cowen, Naomi Reynolds, Sarah Brumby.

20 Years

Robin Ballard.

*NB – Anniversary letters and vouchers will be distributed to staff at the end of each quarter of the anniversary date i.e. end of March, June, September and December.

BIRTHS

Congratulations to Caitlin Allen (previously Scolyer-Gray) and family on the arrival of Fox on 19^th June 2024.

Congratulations to Cassy and family on the arrival of Isla on 23^rd May 2024.

Congratulations to Sophie and family on the arrival of Evie on 18^th September 2024.

ENGAGEMENT

Congratulations to Jed Wallis (Bowen Road) and Maggie, who got engaged earlier this year at the Shipsterns Bluff lookout after being college sweethearts. There are lots of things to look forward to in 2027, including their nuptials!

From everyone at LGT, we wish Jed and Maggie a lifetime of happiness together!

GRADUATIONS

Since the last Gowrie Gazette was published, we extend a congratulations to the following staff who have completed their qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care:

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Lauren Kelly, Natasha Tatnell, Sarah Everest

CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Kylie Bailey, Liliarna Springfield

Congratulations to all Lady Gowrie Tasmania graduates this year!

POWERLIFTING GOLD FOR KELLIE!

I recently competed in the 2024 World Powerlifting Championships at the Sydney International Convention Centre (October 11–13). The event was part of the AusFitness Expo, which saw over 20,000 attendees across the weekend – it was huge! I’m thrilled to share that I earned a Gold medal in my weight/age class and a Bronze medal in my overall weight class. I also hit competition personal bests in all three lifts and achieved a lifetime (so far!) personal best in my final deadlift. I exceeded all my own expectations, had an amazing time competing alongside so many strong women and men, and feel incredibly proud of my performance.

For those wondering, powerlifting is a competitive strength sport where athletes aim for their maximum weight across three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. It’s not just about the weights—it’s about grit, growth, and community. I started training in mid-2020 when gyms reopened after COVID. After trying a few gyms and sports, I found my home at Raw Strength in Moonah. The gym might not have the fanciest equipment, but it has the essentials: good people and a supportive environment. Everyone—regardless of age, ability, or strength level—is treated with respect, and there’s a healthy dose of fun mixed into the hard work.

Powerlifting has been a game-changer for me. It’s not just physically empowering—it’s also helped me grow mentally and emotionally. I could go on (and on!) about what I’ve learned about the mind, body, and self through training and competing. At 53, I’m living proof that it’s never too late to try something new, push your limits, and discover your potential both inside and out. I highly recommend giving it a go—yes, to everyone!

Why Powerlifting is Amazing!

Physical health – It boosts muscle mass, bone density, and overall strength while reducing the risk of injuries later in life.

Mental health – It can improve mood, cognitive function, and self-esteem and even help manage mental health challenges like anxiety or depression.

Community – It’s a chance to be part of a truly supportive community that lifts each other up—literally and figuratively!

If you’re curious and in southern Tasmania, why not give it a try? I’d love to invite you to a complimentary session at Raw Strength. Whether you’re looking to gain strength, confidence, or just have fun, this could be your thing!

Feel free to email me at kellie.watson@gowrie-tas.com.au—I’d be more than happy to share more about my powerlifting journey and answer any questions.

STAFF Q&A

Name: Ratti Sagar

Service/Program: Corporate Services

What is your role at LGT? Finance Officer

What do you love the most about your job?

The people at LGT, my collegues. The social interaction that I get from being at work, I am very grateful for that. I look forward to coming to my office everyday and getting some work done, If I am not too chatty! Plus, my office never runs out of coffee, which is pretty heroic in its own right.

What song would you choose to turn up the volume and sing out loud to?

Flowers By Miley Cyrus- ‘I can buy myself flowers, write my name in sand…’

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why?

Being a woman is a superpower in itself. As an add on I would like to have a superpower of instantly finding the lost item especially the other sock from the pair that was put in washer together but didn’t make it to the dryer with its significant other. Very mysterious!

What is your favourite memory during your time at LGT?

My favourite memory is when I cooked butter chicken and wheat Roti’s bought it in for lunch on my collegue Kate’s birthday for everyone to enjoy. Everyone sat down together to relish it, asked me about the recipe and complimented for my OG cooking skills.

Name: Tamika Hannah

Service/Program: Norwood Education and Care Service

What is your role at LGT? Room Leader of the Hilton Room (18 months to two and half years old)

What do you love the most about your job?

I love being able to support children’s development, providing fun learning oppotunities, and watching children grow and support verbal and non verbal language development.

What does the perfect weekend look like and why?

My perfect weekend is going to watch the Jackjumpers and going to the beach with my dog, Tuco.

What song would you choose to turn up the volume and sing out loud to?

Any Amy Shark songs.

Do you have any pets and what are their name/s?

I have a 2.5 year old Groodle whose name is Tuco.

Name: Simone Carr

Service/Program: Penna Road Education and Care

What is your role? I am a Certificate III educator at Penna Road Educaiton and Care Service

What do you love the most about your job?

I love walking into work everyday with a smile on my face, a plan in my head, full of coffee beans ready for what the day might bring – everyday is a new day.

What would your perfect weekend look like?

Waking up to a wholesome breakfast, followed by a walk along Park Beach.

What is the best trip you’ve ever been on and why?

For my 40th birthday we did a caravan trip starting at Bridport, moving along the North East coast to Little Blue Lake, then on to the Bay of Fires and Freycinet. The trip was filled with beautiful Tassie scenery, fresh air and family time.

Tassie Mums - 'Packs of Love' Campaign

A huge THANK YOU to the Lady Gowrie Tasmania community for all your generous donations to our Tassie Mums ‘Packs of Love’ campaign! It was incredible to see our children, families and staff come together to support this worthy campaign.

Our CEO, Suzie Jones, had the great pleasure of handing over the donations to Tassie Mums recently. Madeleine Glover and Clair Harris, Co-Founders of Tassie Mums, were thrilled to receive the donations which included over 35 lovingly curated backpacks and dozens of brand new children’s socks, underwear, tops, pyjamas, nappies and other baby supplies.

The work undertaken by Tassie Mums and their passion for supporting babies and children in need, closely aligns with Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s purpose of putting ‘Children First’ in all that we do. If you would like to learn more about the incredible work undertaken by Tassie Mums and how to donate items then please follow the link below:

https://tassiemums.org/

THANK YOU AGAIN – it is wonderful to know that so many Tasmanian babies and children in need will benefit from the overwhelming kindness and generosity of the Lady Gowrie Tasmania community.

Helen Stephen Memorial Scholarship

Nick Stephen and Hui Yuan, 2024 scholarship recipient.

Nic Stephen, Lady Gowrie Tasmania Board member and son of Helen Stephen, had the great pleasure of announcing Hui Yuan as the recipient of the 2024 Helen Stephen Memorial Scholarship our recent Annual General Meeting.

Helen Stephen was the Kindergarten Teacher at our Battery Point Education and Care Service for 25 years and during this time she played an important role in the lives of many children and their families. She also influenced the pedagogy and practice of many early childhood professionals with whom she came into contact.

Helen’s legacy will live on through many of her qualities that resonated with those who were fortunate to have known, loved and worked with her. To honour this legacy, Lady Gowrie Tasmania provides a scholarship in Helen’s memory which is awarded annually to an educator who has committed to undertake study towards gaining an early childhood degree qualification.

Nic shared a heartfelt reflection about Helen’s commitment to children and their learning, then shared Hui’s announcement:

‘Hui started her journey at Lady Gowrie Tasmania in 2018 and is currently a diploma-qualified Educator at our Kingston Education and Care Service. Throughout her career, she has worked with children across all age groups and supporting children’s play and learning is at the centre of all her work.

Hui has always shown an interest in challenging herself to learn new knowledge and skills, seeking out professional development opportunities whenever she can. She is a highly valued member of our team, and her colleagues appreciate her willingness to share her valuable thoughts and ideas.

Congratulations Hui and we look forward to following your professional learning journey at Lady Gowrie Tasmania over the coming years.’

Past Scholarship Recipients

Hui Yuan, 2024 scholarship recipient

Kate Beckett, 2023 recipient

Rebecca Weicks, 2022 recipient

Paula Innes-Brown, 2021 recipient

Sophie Barwick and Stacy Dare, 2020 recipients

Jodie Hayes, 2019 recipient

Annual General Meeting 2023-24

Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s 2023-24 Annual General Meeting (AGM) was a time to reflect, acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable work undertaken in our services and programs by our passionate and dedicated people.

It was a time to thank our families, clients and learners who placed their trust in our organisation to provide either education and care for their children, or to provide support for their family or to provide professional support for their individual learning journey.

It was also a time to acknowledge and thank our people who have achieved the significant milestone of 5, 10, 15 or 20 years of dedicated service to children, families, learners and our organisation.

A special congratulations to Robin Ballard for reaching her 20 year milestone – this is an incredible achievement. To view the full list of significant milestones of our people in 2023-24 please visit:

https://annualreport.gowrie-tas.com.au/202…/our-people/…

To view Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s online 2023-24 Annual Report please follow the link below:

https://annualreport.gowrie-tas.com.au/2023-24/

From Suzie

Dear Team,

Welcome to the final Gowrie Gazette for 2024 and my first as CEO of Lady Gowrie Tasmania (LGT). It is a privilege to be leading LGT and working alongside you all as we put ‘Children First’ in our work every day.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-28

I’m very excited to be able to work with everyone to deliver the Board’s new Strategic Plan. The Board has reiterated our very important focus on putting ‘Children First’ in all that we do, and we will continue to deliver amazing services and programs to children in Tasmania so that they can access high quality, inclusive and safe education and care services and programs.

Our strategic initiatives that underpin the plan are:

1. We will continue to provide high quality, inclusive and safe education and care services and support programs to Tasmanian children.

2. We will be a leading employer in the sector with a focus on workforce capability, development and wellbeing.

3. We will advocate for children with influence across governments, sector and the community for the services children and their families need.

4. We will achieve our purpose through diverse high quality support services and programs that enable sustainability and continuous improvement through robust systems and processes.

Each and every one of us has a role to play in the success of this Strategic Plan. The Senior Leadership Team will be communicating the detail under each initiative early next year. To view the Strategic Plan 2024-28 please visit:

https://gowrie-tas.com.au/about-us/#strategic-plan

WAGE INCREASE REMINDER

Last week I shared that the Board had given approval for Lady Gowrie Tasmania (LGT) to apply for the Worker Retention Grant (the GRANT) and to pass on a wage increase to eligible employees. To recap what this means for you:

EDUCATION AND CARE EMPLOYEES (THOSE CLASSED AS ELIGIBLE WORKERS FOR THE GRANT): You will receive a 10% Grant wage increase (this is 10% of the applicable Award rate) plus a 2.5% Enterprise Agreement wage increase.
ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES: You will receive a 3.5% wage increase (inclusive of the 2.5% Enterprise Agreement wage increase).

Service and OSHC Managers will be working with every eligible employee over the next few weeks to complete the agreements that will enable LGT to apply for the Grant.

The wage increases will be applied from the first full pay period after 19 December 2024, with the wage increase backdated to 2 December 2024. At LGT, this first full pay period commences on 1 January 2025 and employees will be paid on 15 January 2025.

GENERAL MANAGER EDUCATION AND CARE UPDATE

As you are aware, Shanna Hughes resigned as General Manager Education and Care last month. I would like to thank Shanna for her strong leadership across our Education and Care (E&C) services and programs – always with a firm focus on children, our teams and building connections. We wish Shanna and her family all the best as they settle into their new life in Melbourne.

This recruitment process has now closed, and we hope to be able to announce the successful candidate early in the new year. As we finalise the recruitment process, Miffy Wedd (current Regional Manager South) is Acting General Manager Education and Care. I thank Miffy for stepping in and managing the day-to-day operations of E&C services and teams.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

At LGT we support the rights of all children to grow, learn and play in a safe place and have zero tolerance towards abuse, neglect or exploitation of children. In our services and programs, we have policies, procedures and reviews firmly in place to ensure that children attending our services are safe. To support our educators to understand what harm or abuse might look like, all educators (other than new educators awaiting completion or those undertaking a refresher) have completed the ‘In Safe Hands’ training during 2024 and will undertake a refresher in 2025.

LGT is also supporting this important training for children aged between 3 to 8 years through the Bravehearts ‘Dittos Keep Safe Adventure Program’. This program offers a live ‘Ditto Show’ which focuses on essential personal safety skills for children using age-appropriate language, song and dance. The Ditto Show is available in three versions, with the content in each version targeted at three distinct developmental levels:

EARLY YEARS (for children aged 3 to 4)
FOUNDATION (for children aged 5 to 6)
YEARS 1-2 (for children aged 7 to 8)

Follow up resources for children, educators and families to explore together after the show are also included as part of this program. To learn more about this important program being offered in LGT education and care services please visit:

https://bravehearts.org.au/education/dittos-keep-safe-adventure-program/

https://bravehearts.org.au/education/dittos-keep-safe-adventure-program/dittos-keep-safe-adventure-show/

I hope you enjoy reading through this Gowrie Gazette with feature stories about our 2024 Annual General Meeting, Helen Stephen Scholarship recipient, the Tassie Mums campaign, staff profiles, graduations, anniversary announcements and latest staff news – to name just a few!

On behalf of the Board and Senior Leadership Team at LGT, we take this opportunity to thank you for an amazing 2024 and wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy festive season. We hope you find time to rest, recharge and make some great memories.

Until next year,
Suzie Jones
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER