Thirty-five years ago Valla Community Preschool opened its doors – there were a handful of kids with local resident and qualified teacher Jan Gray at the helm.
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Now its grounds are filled with 45 children every day and Phillipa Maher is the education director, and has been since 2005. She took over from Ann LeMarseney, who filled the chair from 1998 to 2005.
In those years the preschool has grown in reputation and become well-known for the rich, nurturing and innovative educational environment it offers.
Children come from far and wide – Urunga, Bellingen, Macksville and Bowraville with word of mouth generating ample enrolments.
While little has changed with the building, outside the garden has flourished, and is now filled with shady spaces and colourful food and flower beds.
“This is a beautiful place to work … it has got great community energy,” Phillipa said.
So many stories have unfolded over the years and on Saturday, June 16 the preschool will celebrate its anniversary with the launch of a book that weaves together the rich threads of the past.
“The book tells the stories and history of the preschool from the very beginning … we didn’t want the story to get lost.
“We also wanted to acknowledge the enormous generosity and community spirit of all the people who have contributed to the preschool. Some of those early pioneers put in so much to ensure it thrived and we thank them for everything they did.”
The book will be available for sale on the day. The celebration will include an Acknowledgement to Country, live music, the Lions Club food van and an opportunity to take a tour of the playground, gardens and classrooms. Please feel welcome to join us at the preschool at 2pm on Saturday, June 16.
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
