Community & Business
6 February, 2025
Death of kindergarten founder
Jean Jarick, the driving force behind founding of the Goombungee Little Folks Group, has died aged 95.
Mrs Jarick and her family first moved to Goombungee when husband Vincent was called to be the Lutheran Pastor for the local parish.
The Goombungee Little Folks Group was formed in 1976 after Jean arrived found no kindergarten facilities in the area.
“Some people had been trying to get a kindergarten going in Goombungee for a little while,” Goombungee Little Folks co-founder Glenda Hartwig said.
“Jean talked people into it.”
Mrs Jarick and like-minded people of the district set forth to find if there was interest from the public to form a kindergarten in Goombungee.
As the Lutheran hall was not in full use during the week, approval to use this building was sort from St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.
The church agreed that this proposed venture could operate from the premises and so Goombungee Little Folks Group began.
Mrs Jarick was approved by child services to operate as director and the commencement date was set for 7th September 1976.
Volunteers (unpaid staff), donations of equipment and supplies and many fundraising efforts from the people of the town saw the Kindergarten become established.
During her time in Goombungee, not only was Mrs Jarick busy with the kindergarten and Church, she was actively involved with the Goombungee-Haden Show Society both as competitor and steward, in the cookery, floral and fine arts sections.
She compiled the Show Society recipe book for the 75th Anniversary.
When the Lutheran church at Douglas closed in 1992, the hall was donated and relocated to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church grounds.
With renovations and ongoing improvements, qualified staff, government grants and strong enrolments, Goombungee Little Folks Group continues to provide kindergarten services to the local district.
Mrs Jarick continued as director of the kindergarten until 1992 when the couple moved to Yandina on the Sunshine Coast.
Prior to her years in Goombungee, she had lived in Oakey from 1967 to 1972, and had also lived at Nambour, Chinchilla and Gatton.
A move to Biloela in between stints in the local district had furthered her experience in childcare.
Mrs Jarick’s funeral was held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Nambour on Thursday January 30th.
She is survived by children Michael, Andrew, Lester, Rosalie, Susan, Tim and families.
Thanks to Glenda Hartwig for her assistance with this story.
