History - Queensland | Lady Gowrie QLD - childcare & kindergarten
The name Lady Gowrie enjoys a strong heritage in both Queensland and Australian early childhood education. They were named after Lady Zara Gowrie, wife of the Governor-General of Australia, Alexander Hore-Ruthven, Lord Gowrie from 1936-1944, who was awarded a Victorian Cross for bravery during a battle in Sudan.
Lady Gowrie was tireless worker organising concerts and Government House fetes raising money for the war effort. She set up a soldiers’ club in Canberra and lent her support to the establishment of what became known as the Lady Gowrie kindergartens.
1940
Lady Gowrie described the Brisbane centre as a paradise for children and arranged for jacaranda trees to be planted along the front of the building and in the grounds. The extensive playground of the centre was originally planned as an extension of the playrooms where young children would spend most of their playtime out-of-doors.
1940
Lady Gowrie described the Brisbane centre as a paradise for children and arranged for jacaranda trees to be planted along the front of the building and in the grounds. The extensive playground of the centre was originally planned as an extension of the playrooms where young children would spend most of their playtime out-of-doors.
June 1940
The Brisbane centre opened to children on the 17th June 1940. Seven two-year-old children and ten four-year-old children began at the centre on that day. By November of that year there were 57 children enrolled. As well as teachers, a registered nurse and a social worker, the centre employed a secretary and cook-housekeeper. Hot meals and a dessert were provided for the children each day.
June 1940
The Brisbane centre opened to children on the 17th June 1940. Seven two-year-old children and ten four-year-old children began at the centre on that day. By November of that year there were 57 children enrolled. As well as teachers, a registered nurse and a social worker, the centre employed a secretary and cook-housekeeper. Hot meals and a dessert were provided for the children each day.
1943
During World War II the centre was temporarily closed by government decree. The Centre at St Paul’s Terrace still has the air-raid shelter as a reminder of these times. The centre re-opened in 1943 and reached a full complement of 100 children aged from 2 to 4 years. All children lived in close proximity to the centre. However, as housing in the inner-city area began to be replaced by businesses, families began to come from further afield. Today families come from all areas of Brisbane in order to use the services of the centre.
1943
During World War II the centre was temporarily closed by government decree. The Centre at St Paul’s Terrace still has the air-raid shelter as a reminder of these times. The centre re-opened in 1943 and reached a full complement of 100 children aged from 2 to 4 years. All children lived in close proximity to the centre. However, as housing in the inner-city area began to be replaced by businesses, families began to come from further afield. Today families come from all areas of Brisbane in order to use the services of the centre.
1944
In 1944 the Brisbane Lady Gowrie Child Centre became a training centre for students. Students from the Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers Training College attended the centre four days a week. Today, the numbers of visitors and students visiting the children’s programs is large and the centre continues to play a very important demonstration role.
1944
In 1944 the Brisbane Lady Gowrie Child Centre became a training centre for students. Students from the Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers Training College attended the centre four days a week. Today, the numbers of visitors and students visiting the children’s programs is large and the centre continues to play a very important demonstration role.
1974
Parent education also formed an important part of the centre’s role. A Parent library was established and Parent/Toddler Groups were first offered in 1974. These groups were primarily set up to support parents in understanding the early development of children and to provide a place where parents could meet. Along with this, a Parent Education Program was introduced as a service to the wider community. The centre was a foundation member of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Preschool Association (now the Australian Early Childhood Association) and continues to play a role in this organisation.
1974
Parent education also formed an important part of the centre’s role. A Parent library was established and Parent/Toddler Groups were first offered in 1974. These groups were primarily set up to support parents in understanding the early development of children and to provide a place where parents could meet. Along with this, a Parent Education Program was introduced as a service to the wider community. The centre was a foundation member of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Preschool Association (now the Australian Early Childhood Association) and continues to play a role in this organisation.
1975
A Family Day Care Scheme was established by the Brisbane Lady Gowrie Child Centre in 1975. One of the aims of this Scheme was to provide registered home-based child care for parents in the workforce.
1975
A Family Day Care Scheme was established by the Brisbane Lady Gowrie Child Centre in 1975. One of the aims of this Scheme was to provide registered home-based child care for parents in the workforce.
1983
In 1983 a centre based child care program was opened at the St Paul’s Terrace building enrolling children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Over the years the Brisbane Lady Gowrie Child Centre gradually shifted its focus from providing parenting programs to offering professional development workshops to practitioners working in early childhood. Day, evening and weekend workshops were initially offered in the Brisbane area and were later expanded to cover all areas of Queensland.
1983
In 1983 a centre based child care program was opened at the St Paul’s Terrace building enrolling children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Over the years the Brisbane Lady Gowrie Child Centre gradually shifted its focus from providing parenting programs to offering professional development workshops to practitioners working in early childhood. Day, evening and weekend workshops were initially offered in the Brisbane area and were later expanded to cover all areas of Queensland.
1986
The John Bostock Resource Centre was established in 1986. The Resource Centre specialises in early and middle childhood audio and print publications and includes bookstore, library and resource room facilities.
1986
The John Bostock Resource Centre was established in 1986. The Resource Centre specialises in early and middle childhood audio and print publications and includes bookstore, library and resource room facilities.
1989
1989 saw the launch of the Lady Gowrie newsletter, Signpost. Funded by the Commonwealth Government, Signpost was distributed free of charge to children’s services throughout Queensland.
1989
1989 saw the launch of the Lady Gowrie newsletter, Signpost. Funded by the Commonwealth Government, Signpost was distributed free of charge to children’s services throughout Queensland.
1990
Lady Gowrie celebrated the opening in 1990 of a 58-place long day child care centre at Warry Street, Spring Hill, and a 45-place occasional child care centre at Quarry Street, Spring Hill.
1990
Lady Gowrie celebrated the opening in 1990 of a 58-place long day child care centre at Warry Street, Spring Hill, and a 45-place occasional child care centre at Quarry Street, Spring Hill.
1994
Lady Gowrie began the sponsorship of a second Family Day Care Scheme in 1994 at Caboolture (situated 50 kms north of Brisbane). This was the largest family day care scheme in Queensland.
1994
Lady Gowrie began the sponsorship of a second Family Day Care Scheme in 1994 at Caboolture (situated 50 kms north of Brisbane). This was the largest family day care scheme in Queensland.
1998
We earned VETEC registration as a training organisation in 1998. The Gowrie (Qld) Inc provided nationally recognised certificates and diploma courses in children’s services.
1998
We earned VETEC registration as a training organisation in 1998. The Gowrie (Qld) Inc provided nationally recognised certificates and diploma courses in children’s services.
2000s
Sponsorship in 2000 of a third Family Day Care Scheme situated in Indooroopilly and called the Lady Gowrie West Family Day Care Scheme. This Scheme serviced the western suburbs of Brisbane. The launch in October 2000 of Reflections, a national children’s services magazine produced by Gowrie Australia. Reflections and a local insert Postscript Queensland replaced Signpost as the Brisbane Lady Gowrie’s publication for children’s services throughout Queensland. The launch of the Lady Gowrie Community Space Project in 2001 focused on early intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of harm for children and young people. The Project developed a HUB – an initial point of contact with facilities for networking and for providing an outreach service for families and other agencies. The establishment in 2005 of a parenting program based at the Lady Gowrie Quarry Street Child Care Centre. The “Through the Looking Glass” program is designed to support families where there is a parent/child relationship under stress. This program provides support and child care as a package for families with children aged 0-5 to help develop richer relationships. Sponsorship in 2006 of two Family Day Care Schemes and one Long Day Care Program all in the Redland Bay area. The establishment in mid-2007 of a Gowrie Early Years Centre servicing the Caboolture Shire. Aimed at building on family strengths, the centre is an integrated, universal service model that brings together health, education and the community. It aims to provide a space for families and the community that is able to support the wider community.
2000s
Sponsorship in 2000 of a third Family Day Care Scheme situated in Indooroopilly and called the Lady Gowrie West Family Day Care Scheme. This Scheme serviced the western suburbs of Brisbane. The launch in October 2000 of Reflections, a national children’s services magazine produced by Gowrie Australia. Reflections and a local insert Postscript Queensland replaced Signpost as the Brisbane Lady Gowrie’s publication for children’s services throughout Queensland. The launch of the Lady Gowrie Community Space Project in 2001 focused on early intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of harm for children and young people. The Project developed a HUB – an initial point of contact with facilities for networking and for providing an outreach service for families and other agencies. The establishment in 2005 of a parenting program based at the Lady Gowrie Quarry Street Child Care Centre. The “Through the Looking Glass” program is designed to support families where there is a parent/child relationship under stress. This program provides support and child care as a package for families with children aged 0-5 to help develop richer relationships. Sponsorship in 2006 of two Family Day Care Schemes and one Long Day Care Program all in the Redland Bay area. The establishment in mid-2007 of a Gowrie Early Years Centre servicing the Caboolture Shire. Aimed at building on family strengths, the centre is an integrated, universal service model that brings together health, education and the community. It aims to provide a space for families and the community that is able to support the wider community.
2010 - now
In 2010, Lady Gowrie became a central governing body (CGB) for Community Kindergartens in Queensland. We support and distribute state government funding to the affiliated kindergartens of which we currently have 98 operating under the Lady Gowrie banner. In 2013 The Gowrie’s footprint in Queensland extended to Townsville with a Long Day Care centre in the North Ward, operated and managed by The Gowrie team. Today, The Gowrie Qld caters for some 3000 children and their families. The organisation plays a very significant advocacy role and is committed to high quality practices in programs for young children and their families, and in training and professional development in children’s services.
2010 - now
In 2010, Lady Gowrie became a central governing body (CGB) for Community Kindergartens in Queensland. We support and distribute state government funding to the affiliated kindergartens of which we currently have 98 operating under the Lady Gowrie banner. In 2013 The Gowrie’s footprint in Queensland extended to Townsville with a Long Day Care centre in the North Ward, operated and managed by The Gowrie team. Today, The Gowrie Qld caters for some 3000 children and their families. The organisation plays a very significant advocacy role and is committed to high quality practices in programs for young children and their families, and in training and professional development in children’s services.
We are a not for-profit organisation providing high quality childcare and Kindergarten programs, with a strong heritage in early childhood education in Queensland and Australia.
The Brisbane Lady Gowrie Childcare Centre was established in 1940 as a demonstration centre for excellence in early childhood education and care. We continue to be Qld’s leading provider of Community Kindergarten and Long Day Care services and uphold the highest standards in childcare.
Lady Gowrie QLD acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which our Kindergarten and childcare services are placed, and pay our respects to the elders, past and present, who have raised children, taught them about the world around them and bestowed on them the gift of culture and language.
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