When a group of mothers sat down to discuss the creation of St Andrew’s Uniting Church kindergarten in the mid-1960s, Sunbury was a vastly different place from what it is today.
Looking back, inaugural kinder president Beth McKinnon says Sunbury had only about 300 residents “and 1400 of them were patients at the mental hospital’’.
‘‘We didn’t have a kinder, we didn’t have a playgroup – there was nothing,’’ she said.
Having identified the need as the town started to grow, Mrs McKinnon says the committee went about raising money for equipment.
‘‘That was the time when, if a community had a need, the whole community got behind it,’’ she said. ‘‘You did get some help with small grants, but in those days, the community always had to raise the funds.’’
Charity events, including a dinner-dance, helped make the dream a reality.
‘‘Dinner-dances were a great way to raise funds,’’ Mrs McKinnon said. ‘‘There’s that song
These Boots Were Made For Walking … we were up there doing a tivoli act in the middle of it.’’
Mrs McKinnon says those involved in the kindergarten’s creation were looking forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend.
‘‘There’s been some great people involved over the years,’’ she said.
Past and present families, staff and church members are invited to an afternoon tea at the kinder, on corner of Brook and Barkly streets, from 1.30-3pm this Saturday. Details: 9744 1674.
