Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to draw the attention of the House to the crucially important contribution that early childhood educators make to our communities and nation. Our early childhood educators are true community heroes. They nurture the future of our regions and country and give our children the best possible start. They have an enormous and lasting positive impact on children's lives. It's important that our communities value our early childhood educators and the essential role they play in developing great Australians. It's vital that we not only appreciate them but celebrate their wonderful achievements and the excellence in early childhood education that they bring to our country.

It was therefore a true honour to attend the second annual 2024 Central West Early Childhood Awards in Orange recently. Two hundred and eighty educators and their guests gathered to honour nominees and award recipients from around our region and thank them for a job very well done. The heartfelt thanks and congratulations of our communities must go to all of the nominees and award winners on their outstanding contributions to early childhood education.

I make special mention of the following award recipients. The Certificate III Educator Family Appreciation Award went to Lillee Bullock from Grow Early Education Kelso. The Outstanding Early Childhood Educator Diploma Award went to Melinda Nicol from Nature's Academy. The Family Appreciation Award for Outside of School Hours Educator went to Meg Corby from Aspire, and the Award for Excellence in Sustainability went to Bangala-la Preschool. The Family Appreciation Award Diploma went to Kelly Cusack from Papilio in Bathurst. The Outstanding Achievement Award for Everyday Excellence went to Lauren Senton from Pied Piper Preschool at Wallerawang. Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher went to Kristy Crump from Circle Early Learning of Blayney. The Family Appreciation Teacher Award went to Tanya Lamers from Goodstart Early Learning Molong Road. Outstanding Family Day Care Educator went to Rebecca Setter, and Outstanding Out of School Hours Educator went to Wanita Smith. The Family Appreciation Award for Family Day Care Educator went to Tammy Litt. The Award for Excellence in Team Work and Culture went to Goodstart Early Learning Kelso. The Award for Excellence in Food and Menu went to Erin Armstrong and Great Beginnings, and the Award for Excellence in Pedagogy and Practice went to Moad Street Preschool. And I note that Moad Street Preschool educated my own child, so well done to the Moad Street Preschool team. The Award for Excellence in Community went to Pied Piper Preschool. The Award for Excellence in Early Learning in Cultural Responsiveness went to Goodstart Early Learning Molong Road. The Award for Excellence in Inclusion went to Pinnacle Preschool, and the Award for Excellence in Support Services went to Parents as Teachers. The Samara Golding-Piper Memorial Award for Excellence in Leadership went to Raewyn Molly from Eugowra Community Children's Centre. The Molly Ticehurst Memorial Award for Outstanding Early Childhood Educator Certificate III went to Terri Van Tempest.

The 2024 Central West Early Childhood Awards were, quite simply, wonderful. Well done to local music legend Megan Woods and glittering MC Betty Confetti for providing a great night's entertainment. I wish to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to event organiser and founder, Katherine Wilson from Circle Early Learning in Blayney, on a highly successful night. Katherine is a true leader in early childhood education in our region and our country. She deserves the thanks and appreciation of this House and also our nation. Congratulations and thanks also to Katherine's organising team of Samantha Stevenson, Haylie Sloan, Janine Lewis, Kim Laird and Libby Hill-Wallace.

Coming together to celebrate early childhood educators that do so much for our communities was a privilege. I know all members will join me in thanking early childhood educators right around our country for the tireless work they do for our children and the future of our county. I would like all of our early childhood educators to know how very much appreciated they are.