Community & Business
12 September, 2023
Management change at kindy
A large gathering packed Pittsworth Kindergarten grounds last Friday evening to celebrate important management changes, along with past and present achievements.
Former kindy staff and children, committee members and community representatives joined with current children and their families to acknowledge the facility’s management transition after 65 years of local committees.
Since January this year, the kindergarten has been run by Toowoomba Catholic Kindergarten and Care (TCKC), which also operates kindergartens in Warwick and Roma.
Speeches by staff and invited guests were complemented by a barbecue and drinks, children’s presentation and a multi-draw raffle.
MC duties for the evening’s formalities were performed by TCKC manager Aaron Wells, who was accompanied by other Toowoomba Catholic Schools staff, including TCKC senior education leader Donna Stahlhut and TCKC education services director and former St. Stephen’s School principal Madonna Sleba.
Mr Wells said TCKC also manages 15 outside school hours care services, including in Pittsworth, Toowoomba, Clifton, Oakey, Warwick, Chinchilla, Roma, Charleville and Goondiwindi.
Formal proceedings began with the children, led by Kindy teachers Faye Shayler and Judi Burke, giving a welcome to country and performing four songs, including the ever-popular Hokey Pokey.
Kindy aides Nicole Markey and Serina Palmore were also on hand.
Mrs Shayler expressed appreciation to the wonderful community support the kindergarten has always enjoyed, with special thanks to all those who had served on local committees over the past 65 years.
It was a sentiment echoed by all speakers and was most appropriate given that some families at the function could boast three generations of Pittsworth Kindy kids over the past 65 years.
TCKC’s Donna Stahlhut paid tribute to ‘the many hours of labour, passion and commitment’ of previous generations, including management committees, parents and local businesses, who had created a rich history for Pittsworth Kindergarten.
“TCKC is here to ensure Pittsworth Kindergarten continues for generations to come,” Ms Stahlhut said.
“We are very proud to be writing the next chapter along with you. Thank you for the privilege of leading your kindergarten into the future.”
President of the last Pittsworth Kindergarten Association committee Julienne Doran spoke of the many layers of contributions which created the kindergarten in September 1958 and developed it over 65 years.
Ms Doran had gathered stories from numerous local residents and listed some of the many renovations and improvements achieved at the kindergarten by parents.
She also expressed her appreciation to fellow members of the last PKA executive, secretary Angela Faulkner, treasurer Alison Parker and vice president Leanne Wood.
“I can’t begin to scratch the surface of all the work done by previous committees,” she said.
Last speaker was local historian Alastair Silcock who gave a brief summary of the Kindy building since its construction as Pittsworth Shire Council’s first hall and chambers 110 years ago.
“This is the only building in Pittsworth on the Queensland Heritage Register,” he said.
The evening continued with a multi-draw raffle and much reminiscing.
- Alastair Silcock
