Children's Services
A proud 66 year history as an industry leader in childcare and early childhood education.
To select a childcare centre, choose from the menu to the left.
Our History
The Gowrie story begins in 1930 with a group of Melbourne women of remarkable vision and enthusiasm. Realising the impact of children’s early experience on their later development and wishing to extend the influence of the growing number of nursery schools, these public spirited women formed The Nursery School Committee to consider ways of furthering the new nursery school experiment in Victoria.
In 1932, the committee was re-named the Demonstration Nursery School Committee and over the next few years guided the establishment of several nursery schools including one at the Children’s Hospital. With extraordinary foresight, this voluntary committee formed a working party in early 1938 to “draw up” tentative plans for a demonstration centre for preschool child development in each capital city. A detailed memorandum and plans were taken to Canberra in April and discussed with the Director General of Health. The need for better care for the very young had also been urged by other influential agencies and the valuable support of Her Excellency, The Lady Gowrie, wife of the Governor General did much to bring about a quick approval of the scheme. Late in April, the Prime Minister wrote to the Premiers in each state.
“It has been decided that a Demonstration Centre should be established in each Capital City at which not only will the methods of care and instruction of young children be tested and demonstrated, but also problems of physical growth, nutrition and development will be studied. These Centres will be under the direction of the Commonwealth Department of Health”.
Because of the inspiration provided by Lady Gowrie, it was decided that each of the six Centres would bear her name - The Lady Gowrie Child Centre. During the years 1939–40, Her Excellency personally opened each of the Centres at a public gathering.
Over the next fifty years, the value of the Centres in impressing on Australian parents and educationalists the value of early care and education can scarcely be over estimated. The initiative of this enterprising and optimistic group has been the spark of an extensive range of services to young children. Subsequent Committees and Board of Management, with continuing support from the Federal and State Governments and outstanding commitment from volunteers and staff have enabled the growth of programs, which fulfil the hopes of those dauntless pioneering women.
The Gowrie Today
The Gowrie today has changed significantly, growing into a multi-faceted organisation offering a range of services to the local community. The range of services that are now provided by The Gowrie have developed in response to community need and are delivered by a team of staff committed to being responsive to the needs of the community and providing opportunities for families and individuals to participate in community life.
Our history in the early childhood field in the value of early care and education is still very strong today and is demonstrated throughout our approach to support for individuals and families through the range of services that we provide.
