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

It's an honour to recognise a group of unsung heroes who underpin our communities: our early childhood educators. On the weekend it was my privilege to officially open the 2025 Central West Early Childhood Awards, presented by the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative. The awards, held in Bathurst, brought together around 300 early childhood educators from across the Central West. The awards recognise centres, leaders and educators who strive for excellence, create meaningful learning experiences and build strong connections with families and communities. These wonderful people are nurturing the promise of our region and our nation, and they deserve our sincere gratitude and appreciation.

I would particularly like to thank the founder of the awards, Katherine Wilson, who is a truly inspirational leader in early childhood education. I also thank her fellow members of the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative, Kim Laird, Brad Campbell, Haylie Sloan, Janine Lewis and Samantha Stevenson.

I also congratulate the wonderful nominees and award winners. The Molly Ticehurst memorial award for outstanding educator cert III went to Ivy Stack. Mila, Suphinda Wongsamphankhiri won the outstanding early childhood educator diploma award. Jan Mills was awarded the Charles Sturt University outstanding early childhood teacher. The outstanding early childhood trainee award went to Maddison Hotham. Meg Corby was awarded the out-of-school-hours educator. The outstanding family daycare educator award went to Susannah Davey. Carlie Chapman won the Samara Golding-Piper memorial award for excellence in leadership. The outstanding achievement award for everyday excellence went to Elly Mackinnon. And the families choice award winners, voted on by families, were Rachael Denning, for diploma; Tiarnah Maddams, for trainee; Haylee McIntosh, for certificate III; Sushil Khadka, for early childhood teacher; Amanda McGothigan, for daycare educator; and Caitlyn McDonald, for outside school hours.

I also congratulate Pied Piper Preschool from Wallarawang for excellence in pedagogy and practice, Waratah Early Learning Centre, Orange, was awarded excellence in food and menu. Excellence in sustainability was awarded to Circle Early Learning, Blayney. Rise Early Learning, Orange, was awarded for excellence in team work and culture. Eugowra Community Children's Centre won two awards: the excellence in community award and the award for respectfully integrating First Nations knowledge and perspectives. And the award for excellence in inclusion went to Forbes Learning Ladder.

Again, my congratulations go to all the winners and to the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative for a truly inspirational awards ceremony. We are very grateful for the wonderful work of all our early childhood educators. On behalf of this parliament, I thank and recognise them all.

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