G8 celebrates outstanding achievers at 2019 centre manager conference

Centre managers from around the country were this week welcomed to Queensland’s Gold Coast to participate in the G8 Education 2019 centre manager conference, showcasing achievements and celebrating success in the previous year.

 

A key element of the conference was the gala dinner, at which leaders were recognised for their contribution to the organisation, and for demonstrating a commitment to quality care and education for young children.

 

Julie Wisemantel, who won the 2019 centre manager of the year award when asked to say a few words shared a story of when she heard that one of the parents at the centre had no way of bringing home a newly born sibling.

 

Ms Wisemantel, who leads the team at Grasshoppers Early Learning Centre, took the bus from the centre, fitted with converted car seats, and brought mother and baby safely home, an opportunity to be of service which she described as “a privilege and an amazing experience,”

 

“We see our early learning centre as being an extension of our families. This mother is more than just a parent, we see her as part of our family; that’s who we are.” Ms Wisemantel said.

 

She was among 11 national award winners announced at this week’s 2019 centre manager conference, selected from 11,000 team members from G8 Education’s national network.

 

The recipients all displayed “a commitment to the provision of high quality early educational outcomes for children,” a spokesperson said.

 

G8 Education’s 2019 national winners were as follows:

 

• Centre Manager of the Year – Julie Wisemantel of Grasshoppers Early Learning Centre.

 

• Area Manager of the Year – Kristel Smylie  – New South Wales.

 

• Support Office Team Member of the Year – Jock Sinclair.

 

• Regional Manager of the Year – Louise Rush.

 

• Safety Award Winner – Santosh Kumari of The Learning Sanctuary Kings Square.

 

• Quality Award Winner – Sarah Schwab of Community Kids Chirnside Park.

 

• People Award Winner – Lisa Jordan of Kindy Patch Elermore Vale.

 

• Core Values Award Winner – Leanne Saxton of Great Beginnings Aveley.

 

• Sustainability and Community Award Winner – Fiona Janse Van Rensburg of Community Kids Glenella.

 

• Most Improved Award Winner – Caroline Ransom of Kindy Patch Manly.

 

• Rookie of the Year Award Winner – Julie Co of Vattana Early Learning Centre.

 

G8 Education Managing Director, Gary Carroll, congratulated the award recipients for their outstanding achievements.

 

“Our people are at the heart of all that we do and it was wonderful to be able to recognise and celebrate their achievements on a national scale,” Mr Carroll said.

 

“Their stories are inspiring and each recipient epitomises what it means to work in early learning. It is a privilege to work alongside these individuals as they make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of children and families across Australia each day.”