L-“ I was born in Bangalow and Janelle was born in Coraki so we’re both living legends of Lismore (laughs). I was born in 1956 at the War Memorial Hospital in Bangalow which is no longer there. I was 18 when I moved to Lismore and started my first job as a Secretary after completing the full time Secretarial course. I had that position for 10 years then I had my children. When my last child went to school I didn’t really want to go back to the secretarial world. I’d always loved being with children and being involved with their preschool at Clunes gave me a deeper insight into what was involved and I really loved it.”
J – “It’s interesting because Lesley and I both got into early childhood through our children. We both did secretarial jobs and we both did the Tafe Secretarial course learning typing and shorthand.”
L – “An advertisement came up for casuals at East Lismore Pre School and at that time you didn’t really need credentials or qualifications. I remember coming in for a volunteer day, I was so nervous. I went home and said to my husband, I didn’t do much Ray, I don’t think they’ll call me in but the next day they called me for work and that was 1991. I gained loads of experience and got qualified. There has been heaps and heaps of professional development over those years.”
J – “There was a lot more Professional Development back then than what there is now. Many great presenters came here to Lismore.”
L – “Perhaps because so many things are done on-line but I really love the human connection. That’s what we love.”
J – “I was born 1958. I’m still in Coraki on a farm and I have 2 children. I did the 4 day Secretarial course too. I couldn’t stand working in an office as I felt trapped so I left and got a job at Woolworths on the checkout. After my children came along I was really involved in the Pre-school at Coraki. The assistant got sick so they got me into help and I ended up with the job. I had to do the Certificate in Child Care Studies then my Diploma. I worked at Coraki Pre-School 2 days a week and in 1986 I received a call from Cathy who was the Director here at East Lismore Pre-School. She offered me a job 3 mornings a week. At that time we were in the church hall in Park Ave. We would have to pack away every Friday afternoon, then bring it all out again Monday morning. The church decided they would like their land back so we needed to move. John Wade kindly offered us this land here at a very good price. He’s our Patron. We used to walk around and plan this when there was absolutely nothing here. The building was built by the Council Red scheme, the unemployed people. In 1988 we moved in and Kathryn Greiner planted the tree leaning to the left over there (laughs). The space here is beautiful, lot’s of outdoor space and lot’s of learning. The children want real things to do, cart the dirt and plant the gardens.”
Most of the parents this year were children here and it’s funny because most are just bigger versions of their little selves.
L – “It was really exciting when we got our first grandchild here. It’s really lovely when a child say’s Mum to you. They are so in the moment where they feel safe, nurtured and cherished that they think they are at home. A couple of years ago they started calling me Nanna. Initially I took it on as they think I’m old but then I thought…No, this is lovely, a beautiful, golden moment.”
J – “It’s really nice, parents just love that we’re here. Last week a Grandma we used to have a lot do with came to visit with her grandchild and got quite emotional that I was still here. The parents also love that their children are going to the same preschool as they did with us still here too.”
L – “It’s about community and connecting. Often we have parents say to us, this is my safe place, this is where I can come and talk. We support the whole family. Just to know they can come here and feel listened to.”
J – “A lot of families don’t have their extended families around so sometimes we are that. Their child is here which is their most precious thing in life and they are entrusting that child to us.”
L – “I feel honoured that parents leave their child in our care. We go out on excursions, which hasn’t happened through Covid. When we do though we have 2 children per adult. I would throw myself in front of a child to protect them.”
J – “We did stray one morning though. We went to the Uni for an excursion and we were wondering back. The children with Lesley and I noticed this beautiful garden and there were crystals in the garden drawing their attention. The lovely lady came out and started chatting so we all went in. Everyone else had got back to the preschool. We had a lovely morning with the children checking out the veggie garden. The garden was incredible and it’s still there. ( I went and saw it so their HOL story coming soon). Another excursion to Woody Head we saw 3 water spouts. That was another incredible moment.”
L – “We used to all go to Mrs Melino’s farm in Wardell every year. She was precious. They were an elderly Italian couple who loved children. The children would be immersed in milking cows, dust and dirt. We can’t do that anymore. Too many risk assessments and rules now. The days are very busy. There’s so many roles we have to play in this profession. We are educators, counsellors, nurses, we have to do it all. People who have never worked in this field have no idea, so much learning and training. We need to be up to date with our first aid and child protection is huge.”
J – “In sadness there was a little boy who’s last wish was to come back here to visit and he passed away. Another very sad thing was we lost Donna who was our bookkeeper. Donna Rees was here when I started and she passed away with Motor Neurone disease 5 years ago. She was a founding member and we would not have preschool without Donna. She needs to be acknowledged as she worked tirelessly for over 30 years. We have a special seat in the playground in her memory. We have it there for children to sit and think and just be. She would have liked it.
We’ve had many happy and fun times though.The kids come out with funny things. One little boy had been to see the Prince of all (Principal). Another little boy said he had to go to the awful donkey. We found out it was the Orthodontist. We’ve had fun times with the staff. We went to Brisbane once and went shopping with Drag Queens. We are here more than we are with our husbands really. We have a fantastic team. We have 50 kids a day. It keeps us young.”
L – “I’m 65 this year and starting to think I’ll probably cut back a day. If I have enough money to pay my bills, I’m happy. I don’t need the flash cars or whatever. I’m just happy to stay out of hospital.”
N – “I’m 63 this year and getting ready to go to 3 days now. I’m winding down too. You put your all into the day. Getting up off the ground is getting hard now. (laughs).”
L – “All day we are communicating with children, with colleagues, family members, professionals who come into the building. When I get home my husband Ray wants to talk to me and he doesn’t understand that I don’t want to talk. My day has been filled to the brim. The older we get the worse it gets. You just need some quiet to recharge your batteries. He wants to go out and I don’t want to. Friends want you to go out and they don’t get it that you don’t want to go, because you’ve been filled with your work. I don’t mind if you put that bit in about my husband because if he reads this he might get it (laughs) He does pack my lunch every day though.”
N – “Every day is different so it doesn’t feel like 30 or 35 years. We hold the family close. We are very big on mental health of children here. Years ago we did the Kids Matter Pilot program here. That was a blessing. We really miss them when they go to school. It’s pretty huge when they are the last one in the family. Families still drop in to say high and give us a cuddle. We had the same core staff for many years but the last couple of years we have some new staff. We embrace change.”
L – “We have some beautiful younger staff now who are enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. We employ people who have to fit in with us. We are an eccentric breed so they need to click so the team benefits. We are a quirky lot.”
March 23 at 4:30 pm we are having a celebration here of our years at East Lismore Preschool. We would just love to see anyone who’s been here over all those years. It’s like a reunion too so love to see all past and present come along.