Gowrie Gazette | Winter 2025

Helen Stephen Memorial Scholarship

Lady Gowrie Tasmania is proud to once again offer the Helen Stephen Memorial Scholarship – an opportunity established in 2019 to honour the extraordinary contribution of the late Helen Stephen, a beloved and long-serving Kindergarten Teacher at our Battery Point Education and Care Service.

For over 25 years, Helen was a pillar of strength, wisdom, and warmth in our community. She mentored countless students and professionals, modelled exceptional early years pedagogy, and positively influenced generations of children and families.

To honour her legacy, the scholarship supports a current Lady Gowrie Tasmania Educator who is committed to upgrading their qualification to an approved Early Childhood Degree. The aim is to nurture the next generation of leaders in early childhood education – those who, like Helen, strive to lift others and lead with heart.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a permanent employee of Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s Education and Care program for a minimum of two years;
Hold a Diploma qualification in early childhood education;
Demonstrate a genuine commitment to further study; and
Have shown leadership in their work with children, families, and colleagues.

Applicants are asked to formally address each of the above criteria in their Expression of Interest, and to include a short reflection on how their own learning supports the learning and development of the children they work with.

This is a unique and meaningful opportunity to build on your professional journey, with the support of an organisation that deeply values its Educators.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send an Expression of Interest to Miffy Wedd miffy.wedd@gowrie-tas.com.au by COB Friday October 17^th, 2025.

Let’s continue Helen’s legacy by supporting those who aspire to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact in early childhood education.

Staff Reminders

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE

All Lady Gowrie Tasmania services, programs and offices will close for the Christmas break at the usual time on Wednesday 24^th December, 2025 and will re-open on Monday 5^th January, 2026. This year’s closure dates provide you with a well-earned 11 day break.

SUPERANNUATION GUARANTEE RATE INCREASE

The superannuation guarantee (SG) rate was increased from 11.5% to 12% on 1^st July, 2025. The new SG rate has been applied to all salary and wages paid to eligible Lady employees since this date. The SG rate increase to your employer contribution is reflected in your recent payslips.

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Educators are invited to join the Community of Practice which is a private online collaboration and shared learning space that connects centres and educators across the organisation using the Storypark platform. For more information, please speak with your Service Manager.

Have Something to Share?

If you would like to share any personal or professional news, celebrations or achievements in the Gowrie Gazette please contact the Marketing and Communications team via email communications@gowrie-tas.com.au or phone 6230 6861.

Celebrating Education & Care

Learning through Play at Richmond LDC

Recently at our service, we have noticed a wonderful shift in the way children are engaging with play. What once began as simple role-play games and storytelling, has blossomed into rich, complex imaginative and dramatic play scenarios that are becoming a daily highlight in our learning environment.

As educators, we have been closely tuned in to these moments listening to their conversations, noticing their needs and thoughtfully supporting their play. By observing and engaging in discussions with the children, we have been able to extend their thinking and build on their learning. For instance, when a group of children began playing ‘cafes’ we introduced props such as coffee cups, plates, money and foods that the children have seen being served at cafes.

To further support this evolving interest, we have thoughtfully structured areas of the learning environment to inspire and encourage deeper imaginative engagement. Open-ended resources, props, costumes and materials are readily available and easily accessible to promote independence and creativity. We also rotate materials based on the children’s interests and feedback, ensuring the environment remains dynamic and inspiring.

Through these play experiences, the children are not only having fun, but they are developing vital skills including communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and collaboration. They are negotiating roles, making group decisions, expressing ideas and empathising with others – all through the power of imaginative play.

As we continue to foster this interest of dramatic play within our program and document children’s voices in our ‘planning floor book’, we look forward to seeing where their imaginations will take them next!

FROM THE TEAM AT RICHMOND LDC

Exploring Learning Environments at Norwood OSHC

Recently, the children and educators have been focusing on creating meaningful learning environments and facilitating children’s development through play-based learning.

Children have been engaging in a range of small world environments including a fairy garden, an ocean landscape and even a vet clinic role playing space. These learning environments have provided the opportunity for children to engage in imaginative play and make connections to the world around them. Extending on these experiences, the children have engaged in conversations about their own experiences visiting the beach. We learnt about their favourite holiday destinations and that many of the children love to visit their families’ shack during the school holidays.

The children at Norwood OSHC have always been heavily invested in constructive and hands-on experiences. To extend upon this interest, we have sourced some new resources including hammer and nail sets, and ‘Pix Brix’ sets which have fine-tuned the children’s problem solving, logic and fine motor skills.

In our team meetings we have researched the Reggio Emilia approach to the environment being the ‘third teacher’ and used this theory to support our learning program within our space. We discovered the importance of focusing on being intentional with our learning environments through reflecting on how we implement this method within our space.

After reflecting on our program, we will be responding to the children’s voices and implementing our next program around Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We will be introducing a STEM Club by implementing experiences relevant to each aspect of STEM and providing the children with the option to choose which area of STEM they would like to engage in.

We look forward to sharing with our families more about the children’s STEM Club and the exciting play-based learning experiences to come!

FROM THE TEAM AT NORWOOD OSHC

Staff Updates

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Lady Gowrie Tasmania offers you a FREE Employee Assistance Program with AccessEAP. AccessEAP provides a range of resources to help you with your mental health and short-term, professional counselling for employees to use confidentially to deal with personal and work-related issues. To make an appointment please phone 1800 818 728 or follow login details below:

Website: www.accesseap.com.au/employees/
Username: Lady Gowrie Tas
Password: accesseap

PAY LESS TAX WITH SALARY PACKAGING!

Salary packaging is an easy way to give yourself a pay rise! All part-time, full-time, permanent or fixed-term employees of Lady Gowrie Tasmania are eligible to receive salary packaging.

Salary packaging means you can use some of your salary to pay for everyday expenses before income tax is calculated, meaning you pay less tax and have more money to spend.

To find out more about how salary packaging works please visit:

https://accesspay.com.au/salary-packaging/

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Lady Gowrie Tasmania has a zero-tolerance policy for child harm. We take all concerns seriously and follow up with appropriate action, including reporting and investigation. As part of our regulatory and ethical obligations, any concerns must be reported promptly and accurately.

We remind everyone of your mandatory requirement to report any concerns relating to the safety of children to your direct Manager, email the Quality Team quality@gowrie-tas.com.au or phone Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000123. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 000.

Meet Our Staff

JAMIE O’CALLAGHAN – PEOPLE & CULTURE PARTNER

Growing up as a gymnast, I thought I’d either be a coach or a physiotherapist. I’ve always loved helping others, but science wasn’t my jam in high school, so the physio dream quietly faded – probably for the best!

After finishing gymnastics in my late teens, I coached young children and worked as a nanny for a wonderful family for years. I absolutely loved it but not seeing it as a long-term career back then, I pivoted completely into business – not really knowing where I was going but that was part of the fun!

I spent several years working in Recruitment and HR across global commercial, government, and not-for-profit sectors, and eventually found myself wondering, what’s next? That question led me to move from sunny Brisbane down to Tasmania, where I eventually found a role as People and Culture Partner with Lady Gowrie Tasmania.

None of us really know where we’ll be in five, ten or fifteen years, but I do know that a career focused on creating a better place for children sounds pretty fulfilling. I’ve started (slowly!) my master’s degree in teaching and may one day become a special needs teacher. For now, I feel lucky to work in an awesome team alongside passionate educators who genuinely care about making a difference in children’s lives.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me cooking, reading a book, or patting every dog I walk past. Family is the most important thing to me, and I’m grateful to be in a role and with an organisation that align with those values.

DEEPIKA WADEHRA – EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER

I have a Master of Education, Bachelor of Education and Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I have worked in ECEC for over three years and I am currently working as an Early Childhood Teacher at Lady Gowrie Tasmania Bowen Road.

I have my husband and two daughters who are the magical beings and without seeing them, I can’t start my day because I love them and blossom to see them happy and smiling. I love to meditate and journaling my week – how it went, the parts I loved and the areas I have to improve on. I also love cooking.

It’s been nearly two months that I have been working with LGT. I’m so amazed and happy to witness how respectful all the staff treats each other. I have never felt a stranger here and was welcomed wholeheartedly. My favourite moment was to meet Sabrina, my Manager, the first time during my interview. I loved her positive and high energy, even before recruiting me.

KATE VISSER – RTO TRAINER AND ASSESSOR

I was recently told I could talk until the cows come home — and then keep going once they’re fed and asleep – which is probably why training and assessing is a perfect fit for me! I love a chat.

I came into Early Childhood Education and Care almost by accident. While teaching infant swimming, I discovered a passion for working with children and watching their development. That led me to study my Certificate III, which quickly became a Diploma. I’ve since worked in family day care coordination, centre management, and now, in training and assessing.

It feels like a full-circle moment to be back at Lady Gowrie Tasmania. Lady Gowrie Tasmania in Kingston was my first (and only) placement – I fell in love with the staff & culture there. I still remember ‘baby educator Kate’ so nervous about being there and now I’m training people! I love the lightbulb moments, deep conversations, and seeing learners grow and share ideas. It’s an honour to be a part of their ECEC journey – it’s exciting to see where they will end up!

Outside of work, I’m a marriage celebrant, so you’ll find me catching up with clients, writing ceremonies and travelling the state. I also write for my blog, run (sometimes), and juggle life with my two beautiful children, Alexis and Solomon. We have two rescue cats, who, along with my houseplants, are slowly destroying my soul.

I’m a lover of true crime podcasts, thriller novels, and crocheting. I’m forever starting hobbies and this year I’m trying to finish what I start – so far, so good! We live in the beautiful Huon Valley but are happiest by the beach in summer.

Staff Q&A

VERONICA CREELEY – PEDDER

What is your role at LGT?
My role at Pedder is as a Cook and Educator.

What do you love most about your job?
Spending time with children, seeing them grow and learn, and building positive relationships with families.

What is the best trip you’ve ever been on and why?
A houseboat on the Murray River with family.

Describe an experience that has had a lasting impact on you?
Becoming a parent. It’s made me more confident and able to speak up, and has filled my life with joy.

Do you have any pets?
I have three cats named Bradley, Scott and Dusty.

KATE WARRENER – FINANCE

What is your role at LGT?
Finance Business Partner

What do you love most about your job?
I’m very lucky to be surrounded by a great team! Every day brings new challenges, a chance for collaboration, and shared wins—making even the busiest days rewarding.

What would the perfect weekend look like?
My perfect weekend would involve a long drive up the coast with my boyfriend and black lab, Nico, on a sunny day. We would stop for a coffee and a sweet treat, before making it to the beach and playing fetch for as long as we could. We’d come back home, have friends around and relax for the rest of the day.

What is the best trip you’ve been on?
My first trip to Europe in 2012 with my family was unforgettable — I’m grateful for the memories, reconnecting with relatives, and discovering my love for travel.

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be?
I don’t know if it counts as a superpower, but I’d love to be able to go without sleep and never feel tired. It would be amazing to get 8 more hours in a day!

TANYA COWEN – INTEGRATED CENTRE

What is your role at LGT?
My role as Cook is to prepare nutritious meals for the children at IC. I have worked at Lady Gowrie for 16 years at the Acton and Integrated Centre Services.

What do you love most about your job?
I love the daily interactions and conversations with the children, educators, parents and Head Office staff. Knowing that the children enjoy eating the meals I prepare gives me great joy. I developed my love of cooking from my mother who at 89 and is still an amazing cook!

What are you most looking forward to this year?
Watching my newborn grandson, Oscar, grow up and a family holiday to Fiji with my husband, daughters, son-in-law and three grandsons in September.

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would pick flying because I feed the wild birds at home every day and I love to sit and watch them eating and then fly away. To fly would be so peaceful and I would love to look down on everything from above.

What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Actually, I have two things – my family and coffee!

What song would you choose to turn up the volume and sing out loud to?
Any Adele songs really but my favourite is Rolling in the Deep.

Staff News

We are pleased to share all the exciting staff news and announcements for this Winter edition of the Gowrie Gazette. In this section you will find staff welcome and farewell lists, anniversaries, graduations, births, engagements, weddings and other news.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your special news and announcements with us so we can celebrate with you! If you would like to share any special news or announcements in the upcoming Spring Gowrie Gazette please email communciations@gowrie-tas.com.au or share with your Manager.

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

We extend a warm welcome to the following new permanent and contract staff who have commenced working for Lady Gowrie Tasmania this year:

Education & Care
Atul Magar (ECT – Acton), Mamandeep Kaur Dhaliwal (ECT – Campbell St), Diksha Sitoula (ECT – Campbell St), Poonam Khadka (ECT – Battery Point), Khanh Huyen Dao (ECP – Integrated Centre), Yvonne Wann Yean Chua (ECT – Integrated Centre), Dipak Shrestha (Cook – Uni North), Salma Akter (ECP – South Hobart OSHC), Sapana Pun (ECT – George Town), Deepika Wadehra (ECT – Bowen Road LDC), Zihan (Meadow) Wang (ECT – Pedder), Daniel Luck (ECP – Punchbowl), Caitlin Rawlings (ECP – Pedder), Lee Berechree (SSO – Glenora), Yukita Rajbhandari (ECP – Battery Point), Benjamin Kikkert (Regional Manager Southern LDC), Manpreet Kaur (ECP – Battery Point), Prakash Gupta (ECT – Alanvale), Yina Yang (ECP – Acton), Natalie Anderton (ECP – Midway Point), Kei Tamura (ECP – Battery Point), Emma Blaschke (ECP – Campbell St), Ranjana Shrestha (ECT – Uni North), Ritu Jabegu (ECT – Acton), Hongluo (Hannie) Liu (ECT – Richmond), Wenhao Fu (ECT – Acton), Dimity Anderton (Assistant Manager), Harnoor Kaur (ECT – George Town), Yuqi (Holly) Tan (ECP – Uni South), Manisha Adhikari (ECP – Uni South), Chloe Singline (ECP – Alanvale), Jessica Goss (ECP – Pedder), Abbie Douglas (ECP – South Hobart OSHC), Chantelle Allen (Manager), Li (Clara) Wang (ECT – Bowen Road LDC), Jeanne Yoon (ECP – Battery Point), Bindu Paudel Aryal (ECP – Campbell St), Weili (Melody) Jiang (ECP – Alanvale), Kassie Morgan (ECP – Oatlands) and Binaya Shrestha (Cook – Acton)

Learning, Development & Inclusion
Kate Visser (RTO Trainer and Assessor)

Corporate Services
Jacquelyn Willis (Quality & Safeguarding Lead), Sharon Warren (People & Culture Systems Consultant), Kerrie Walter (Strategic Initiatives Manager), Daisy McMullen (People & Culture Administrator), Sunita Shrestha (People & Culture Officer), Zoe Florusse (General Manager – People and Quality) and Jamie O’Callaghan (People & Culture Partner)

We also extend a very warm welcome to all new casual staff who have commenced this year.

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES

To the people who have reached significant anniversaries at Lady Gowrie Tasmania (LGT) since the last Gowrie Gazette was published, 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
Stephanie Lukmanjaya (ECP – Pedder), Cheng (Audrey) Qian (ECP – Uni South) and Taylah Gray (ECP – Swansea)

10 Years
Nicole Nicholls (Manager – Swansea and Oatlands), Normita Brazendale (ECP – Penna Rd), Nicolette Lovemore (ECP – Uni South) and Kristy Burgess (Assistant Manager – Midway Point/Penna Rd)

20 Years
Tahnee Chamberlain (ECP – Uni South)

25 Years
Susan Bevan (ECP – Battery Point)

*NB – Anniversaries are calculated on employment commencement dates and do not reflect long service leave entitlements. Anniversary letters and vouchers are distributed at the end of each quarter i.e. end of March, June, September and December.

STAFF FAREWELLS

Education & Care
Alacoque Fisher (Assistant Manager), Ifra Saleem (Malik ECP – Alanvale), Indianna Pinchin (ECP – Alanvale), Jiaxi (Jessie) Gu (ECP – Alanvale), Patricia Crofts (Manager), Yexuan (Moranda) Min (ECP – Albuera St BSC/ASC), Chengi (Angie) Chan (ECP – Battery Point), Indra Tamang (Cook – Battery Point), Rashmina Dhakal Sharma (ECP – Battery Point), Xiaoyuan (Jane) Wang (ECP – Battery Point), Zheyi (Ken) Jiang (ECP – Battery Point), Zi (Stella) Yang (ECP – Battery Point), Archi Biswas (ECP – Bowen Road LDC), Graciela Montivero (Cook – Bowen Road), Rebecca Suggett(ECP – Bowen Road LDC), Ting Li (ECP – Campbell St), Huyh Ngoc Phuong (Tiffany) Dang (ECP – Fahan), Amy Mansell-Watts (ECP – George Town), Angela Gomez (Manager), Pauline Benson (Cleaner – George Town), Caelin-Jane Weir (Educational Leader), Andre Bennett (ECP – Goulburn St), Asha Ratcliffe (ECP – Integrated Centre), Daedre Leher (ECP – Integrated Centre), Melissa Barker (ECP – Lansdowne Cres ASC), Nyah Jones (ECP – Lansdowne Cres ASC), Imogen Beardwood (ECP – Mowbray OSHC), Gabrielle Slater (ECP – Norwood OSHC), Hayley Cann (ECP – Oatlands), Emma Hall (ECP – Pedder), Lauren Camargo (ECP – Punchbowl), Jessica Oliver (ECP – Rosetta), Caitlin Allen (Manager), Sebastian Wade (ECP – South Hobart OSHC), Tanjina Islam (ECP – Uni North), Kara Wells (ECP – Uni South), Nida Shah (Cook – Uni South) and Tracey Munday (ECP – Uni South)

Learning, Development & Inclusion
Maree Lowrie (Inclusion Professional)

Corporate Services
Corey Butters (HR & Recruitment Officer)

BIRTHS

Congratulations to Jacqui (Educator from Oatlands) and her partner Blair on the arrival of Maelyn-Rose Foster, born on 21^st April, 2025.

Congratulations to Keelyn (OSHC Service Manager), her partner Sam and big brother Dougie on the arrival of Eloise May Adkins, born on 25^th July, 2025.

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

Congratulations to Sean Liu (Educator from Fahan) and his wife, Rong Hu, who were married whilst visiting China in April this year.

Congratulations to Abbie (Educator from Richmond) and her partner, Benjamin, who got engaged whilst on holiday in Bali in May this year.

GRADUATIONS

Congratulations to the following employees who have completed their qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care through Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s RTO (45602).

We value and appreciate your dedication and commitment to supporting children, families and your professional development.

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Chloe Armstrong (Oatlands), Brooke Cooper (Norwood), Renuka Gurung (Uni South), Megan Harris (Pedder), Kylie Plunkett (Uni South), Som Rai (Acton), Sarah Tinning (Acton), Rebecca Warne (Uni North) and Erin Wiggins (Richmond OSHC)

CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Jessica Flynn (Pedder), Somayeh Ebrahimkhani Ghazi (Battery Point), Hailee Harris (Alanvale), Zeenna-Rae Knox (Uni North), Jessica Oates (Uni South), Courtney Rohde (George Town), Nicole Ruddock (Bowen Rd), Jardiah Spratt (Alanvale) and Tamara Whyte (Youngtown OSHC)

OTHER NEWS

Anna Sweeney (Service Manager for Fahan and Richmond) shares her holiday reflection below:

‘I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a holiday in Bali with my daughter Maddie in May/June. It was a truly special week, with the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation. From the moment we arrived, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty and warm hospitality that Bali is known for. Each day brought something new, from wandering through bustling markets and sampling the delicious local cuisine, to unwinding by the pool and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terrace in Ubud (see photo). The lush, green landscape was absolutely breathtaking, and walking through the terraces felt like stepping into a postcard. It was a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience that really stood out amongst many memorable moments in my life’.

From Cindy

An action identified in the Lady Gowrie Tasmania (LGT) Employee Wellbeing Strategy was to review our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with a view to support LGT employees’ broader wellbeing journey. To provide a service that is accessible and provides choice in how and when people wish to access and utilise supports and services that better enable their choice and control in how they manage and respond to their own wellbeing journey.

As a result of this review, AccessEAP commenced as LGT’s Employee Assistance Provider in July 2025, and their incredible services are now available to all employees and their immediate families.

AccessEAP has a 1800 number you can call 24 hours 7 days a week to speak to someone and commence receiving the support you require. There is also a website that has an employee portal that enables you to access useful information relating to your health and wellbeing and where you can book appointments. You can choose whether you would prefer an appointment via the use of technology from the comfort of your own home or face-to-face.

AccessEAP have several spaces located across Tasmania available for confidential face-to-face counselling. There is also some capacity to access specialised services, such as being able to speak to a counsellor or consultant in relation to financial, legal or nutritional matters.

Although this specialised support may be limited, it can provide initial support and valuable assistance when you need it most.

AccessEAP produce a regular Wellbeing Newsletter that can be delivered directly to your chosen email address. To receive this email, you need to subscribe which you can do by visiting the website and clicking on the link. The Wellbeing Newsletter has lots of interesting information, strategies and tips to support your health and wellbeing.

AccessEAP state:

‘No matter where you are on your mental health and wellbeing journey, we’re here to walk alongside you. Our services are free, confidential, and easy to access. Whether you need a safe space to talk, help to manage stress with practical strategies, or a coach to help you move toward your goals, support is only a call away. We offer confidential support in a sensitive, comfortable and culturally appropriate way. Call our dedicated lines, if that support feels right for you.’

There is also a dedicated telephone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and a dedicated telephone line for LGBTQIA+ that operates from 8am to 6pm weekdays. Outside of these hours, assistance is provided via the after-hours service. To access these services call:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: 1800 861 085 (8am – 6pm weekdays)
LGBTQIA+: 1300 349 950 (8am – 6pm weekdays)

To access health and wellbeing information, strategies and tips head to:

AccessEAP website: www.accesseap.com.au
Click on the employee portal and enter:
Username: Lady Gowrie Tas
Password: accesseap

To make appointments:

Call AccessEAP 24/7: 1800 818 728
Booking portal via website: www.accesseap.com.au
Live chat via website: www.accesseap.com.au
Email: appointments@accesseap.com.au

I strongly encourage you to jump onto the AccessEAP website and familiarise yourself with the incredible services they provide. You may also like to view this video: https://www.accesseap.com.au/resources/accesseap-blog/video-accessing-your-eap-service

Should you have any further questions about AccessEAP, please feel free to reach out to your Manager or contact me directly via email cindy.woolley@gowrie-tas.com.au or phone 0437 640 384.

Cindy Woolley
MANAGER – EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

Celebrations & Events

2025 NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation. The NRW 2025 theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’, reflected the ongoing connection between past, present and future. It called on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Special experiences took place across all our services and programs to celebrate National Reconciliation Week. From the many rich and meaningful children’s play and learning experiences; to sharing deeply reflective daily questions; to creating reflective ‘Reconciliation Trees’; to engaging in professional development sessions on Country; to attending reconciliation breakfasts – we certainly embraced and celebrated this special week in our calendar.

A huge thanks to the 2025 National Reconciliation Working Group (Annette Barwick, Miffy Wedd, Kendall Bracken, Jodie Hayes, Jo Canavan, Roxanne Ellis, Cindy Woolley and Katherine Harris) who came together to help coordinate LGT’s efforts during the week to ensure celebrations were meaningful and engaging across our organisation. A special thank you to Kendall Bracken and Jodie Hayes for preparing the interesting daily reflective questions that were shared during the week.

Please enjoy this slideshow of Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s 2025 National Reconciliation Week celebrations across our services and programs:

Brighton OSHC
Brighton OSHC
Brighton OSHC
Pedder LDC
Pedder LDC
Pedder LDC
Pedder LDC
West Launceston LDC
West Launceston LDC
West Launceston LDC
West Launceston LDC
West Launceston LDC
West Launceston LDC
Penna LDC
Penna LDC
Penna LDC

NRW25_Web-Banner_2000px-x-500px-1024x256

RICHMOND PLANNING OPEN NIGHT

Our Richmond Education and Care Service held an Open Night which provided the opportunity for our colleagues to visit the service and explore how our team has implemented the new planning model.

Nadine, one of our Team Leaders, spoke about how the new planning model aims to support all educators to have a voice in planning for learning and aims to put children’s strengths, ideas, knowledge, culture, abilities and interests at the centre of all they do. She also spoke about embracing the individual strengths of educators on the journey and ensuring that everyone’s skills and knowledge are supported.

Those attending were given the opportunity to explore wall displays of their program, children’s inquiries and children’s artwork and how these learning opportunities are all connected to the curriculum statement and program goals. There was also time to explore how the success of the new planning model depends on continuing strong partnerships with families and information sharing to ensure children’s learning and other needs are being met.

Thank you to all our colleagues who attended the Open Night and for allowing us to share our journey and our program with you. Please feel free to reach out to our team should you have any questions about our journey so far.

After such an inspirational and successful evening, we would really encourage other services to showcase elements of your program too.

FROM THE TEAM AT RICHMOND

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY

Last month Lady Gowrie Tasmania celebrated 86 years of providing quality services and support to Tasmanian children and families. During these 86 years there are countless individuals, both past and present, who have been and continue to be, an important part of Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s story. Children, families, clients, learners, educators, support staff, management, inclusion professionals, early childhood professionals, board directors – to name just a few!

Our story also captures 86 years of social, economic and political changes that have influenced the education and care sector in which we operate today.

To learn more about these stories and Lady Gowrie Tasmania’s long and proud history, please visit:

http://gowrie-tas.com.au/…/2020/06/LG-80th-Birthday.pdf

lady-gowrie-medical-examination-by-school-nurse-1200

lady-gowrie-children-visit-princes-wharf-1960s-1200

From Miffy

Dear Colleagues,

ASSESSMENT & RATING UPDATE

A huge congratulations to the following services for completing their Assessment and Rating process and achieving a rating of Meeting the National Quality Standards:

Penna Road LDC, Youngtown OSHC and South Hobart LDC & OSHC (combined). We are incredibly proud of these teams for their dedication to providing high quality education and care.

A heartfelt thank you to our Education and Care Leadership Team, Service Managers, Educational Leaders and educators for their ongoing commitment to creating nurturing and engaging play and learning environments where children can thrive.

REWARD & RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS

Educators across our education and care services have recently been nominated by their peers as Reward and Recognition recipients, highlighting their incredible work across three categories:

Excellence in Our Work
Leadership for Children
Wonder, Investigation, Connection and Possibilities

From April to June 2025, we received a number of excellent nominations and after review, the recipients for this quarter are:

Jemma Sullivan (OSHC North): Excellence in Our Work

Monica Ding (Integrated Centre): Excellence in Our Work

Jessica Oats (University South): Leadership for Children

Casey Pinchin (Norwood): Wonder, Investigation, Connection and Possibilities

Congratulations to all our award recipients and we hope you enjoyed receiving your professional resource hamper!

To find out more and to nominate someone for an award, scan the QR code, speak with your Service or Manager follow the link below:

Reward & Recognition Nomination Form

Many thanks,
Miffy Wedd
GENERAL MANAGER – EDUCATION AND CARE

Gowrie Gazette | Winter 2025

Helen Stephen Memorial Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS MUST:

HOW TO APPLY:

Staff Reminders

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE

SUPERANNUATION GUARANTEE RATE INCREASE

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Have Something to Share?

Celebrating Education & Care

Learning through Play at Richmond LDC

Exploring Learning Environments at Norwood OSHC

Staff Updates

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

PAY LESS TAX WITH SALARY PACKAGING!

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Meet Our Staff

JAMIE O’CALLAGHAN – PEOPLE & CULTURE PARTNER

DEEPIKA WADEHRA – EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER

KATE VISSER – RTO TRAINER AND ASSESSOR

Staff Q&A

VERONICA CREELEY – PEDDER

KATE WARRENER – FINANCE

TANYA COWEN – INTEGRATED CENTRE

Staff News

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES

STAFF FAREWELLS

BIRTHS

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

GRADUATIONS

OTHER NEWS

From Cindy

Celebrations & Events

2025 NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Brighton OSHC

Brighton OSHC

Brighton OSHC

Pedder LDC

Pedder LDC

Pedder LDC

Pedder LDC

West Launceston LDC

West Launceston LDC

West Launceston LDC

West Launceston LDC

West Launceston LDC

West Launceston LDC

Penna LDC

Penna LDC

Penna LDC

RICHMOND PLANNING OPEN NIGHT

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY

From Miffy

ASSESSMENT & RATING UPDATE

REWARD & RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS