In 1977 residents of Cockatoo built a kindergarten in McBride Street Cockatoo to service the growing population in the area. The building was officially opened on the 22nd of November of that year. Residents formed a Co-op, raised all the money to build the kinder along with lawn bowls and tennis sporting facilities for the town. No small feat, let alone for a town with a population of around 3000. The land was provided by the council for the kinder to use and that was their sole contribution to the building of the kinder. The unique building, was designed by Richard Allen and depicted a children's carousel. The design was to provide a feeling of enjoyment and friendship to the children who used the building. The large glass windows that were installed on the north-eastern side of the building made up 1/3 of the exterior wall. This overlooked the playground of the kinder making it easy to see the children at play from inside. The site of the building is in a dominant position and is highly visible to all who travel through Cockatoo. It was used as a child care facility right up until 2005. The kindergarten has recently been granted heritage listing after Cardinia Council started demolishing the building. The local community were successful in putting a halt to the demolition and saved the building. It will become an integral part of the Cockatoo Ash Wednesday memorial. Details on the fight to save the kinder building can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/cockatoosheritageashwednesday/ Brass Plaque, depicting the opening of the Cockatoo Kindergarten by the Shire of Pakenham Shire President - Cr OwenShire of Pakenham Cockatoo Kindergarten Officially Opened by Cr E A Owen J.P Shire President 22nd November 1977cockatoo, kindergarten opening,

Opening of Lady Brooks Kindergartenstawell

Kindergarten - Lady Brooks opening of Unit 2 1959stawell

Kindergarten - Lady Brooks opening of Unit 2 1959stawell

Black and white photograph showing group of persons outside kindergarten"Written on back of photograph" Opening Heathmont Kindergarten & Community Hall Mrs Lavis(President), Miss Stubbs, Cr Horman, M.J.Harper, Cr B.J.Hubbard, Mrs Hubbard, Cr F.J.Corr, Mrs Corr, Lady ?, Mrs J Harper, Cr R G Lavis

Infant Welfare Centre and Kindergarten, Official opening in 1957 by Dr. Barbara Meredith.infant welfare, kindergarten, photograph, people

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Digital photograph

Photograph of the Opening of Pinemont Kindergarten, with the Secretary, Mrs Perry, speaking to the audience in front of the kindergarten. The image is a little blurry. The Mayor of Ringwood is behind Mrs Perry. Dated 16th April 1966.

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Lady Brooks at Opening of Greenwood Park Kindergarten Ringwood . 1955. "Typed under photograph" 1955 - Official Opening Mrs Jess Anderson, Mrs Y Allan, Lady Brooks, Mrs Helen Austin, -- , Nell Witherden

Typed below photograph, "2. Lady Brooks being escorted to dais".

Typed below photograph, "3. Speeches at official opening - Mrs. Helen Austin, Lady Violet Brooks, Mrs. B. Hubbard, Mayoress, Cr. Ben Hubbard, Mayor, Mr. Roy Wilkins, Dr. B. Meredith, Mrs. E.V. Pullin extreme right edge".

Typed below photograph,"5. Lady Brooks taken for refreshments by Mrs. E.V. Pullin. Back of Mrs. Edna Lewis - Mrs. Pam Gallienne".

Typed below photograph, "4. Onlookers at opening - Heat 104'"

Typed below photograph, "6. Lady Brooks being escorted to her car - Mrs. E.V. Pullin and Mrs. Jess Anderson".

Typed below photograph, "1955 Official opening - Lady Brooks in Dollies' Corner with Barbara Horn".

Typed below photograph, "Official opening Greenwood Park Kindergarten, 10th December 1955. 1. Arrival Lady Violet Brooks, wife of the Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks, being greeted by Mrs. Helen Austin".

Catalogue card reads, 'Opening Green Park Kindergarten. Miss Murray-More, a kinder teacher later at Notlen St. Kinder'. 25/9/2019 addendum: Further information from Pam Payne - "The children in this photo are (L) to (R): Robyn Peake, Amanda Craig and Judith Peake (the girls were twins). Amanda lived on Loughnan Rd opposite Norwood Primary School and the Peakes lived on Warrandyte Rd opposite the South Eastern corner of the school grounds. All were born in 1954."

Written on backing sheet, 'Opening Pinemont Kindergarten, 1966'.

Written on backing sheet, 'Opening Pinemont Kindergarten 1966'.

Written on backing sheet, 'Opening Pinemont Kindergarten, 1966'.