City of Knox councillor Karin Orpen and current students celebrated Upper Ferntree Gully Preschool’s 50th birthday. 20369
By Casey Neill
UPPER Ferntree Gully Preschool has celebrated its 50th birthday.
Half century celebrations at the Rollings Road centre on Sunday, 13 July, featured a time capsule burial, free sausage sizzle, children’s activities, cake stalls, face painting, a silent auction and photograph displays.
The time capsule, buried by Dobson Ward councillor Karin Orpen, contained pictures and memorabilia from families and former preschoolers as well as a visitors book containing signatures and messages.
David Baillieu, the great nephew of Sir George Knox, who opened the centre 50 years ago, was on hand to help Cr Orpen cut a rather dishevelled birthday cake, which was rescued from the floor.
“The celebrations were a great opportunity to remember the faces of as many as 3000 local children who attended the site across five decades,” Cr Orpen said.
Fundraising coordinator Liza Black said the day could not have gone better.
“I had such strong support from the local community,” she said.
In the 1950s local residents spent seven years lobbying governments for funding to build the centre.
They also held backyard barbecues, carnivals, square dancing, street stalls, fetes and house parties to raise funds.
“It’s a testament to that early passion that has continued across the decades since those early days,” Cr Orpen said.
The centre was opened in 1958 by Sir George Knox and featured a kindergarten and baby health centre.
Upper Ferntree Gully Preschool treasurer Charisse Eade said more than 200 children enrolled in the kindergarten in its first three years.
Since the centre was first built, a new kitchen, toilets, children’s toilets and staff office have all been added.
This is the first year at the preschool for both kinder teacher Katherine Barlass and her assistant Julie Jewson where there are currently 29 children enrolled.
