Workforce

Former Meerilinga volunteer and kindergarten teacher Grace celebrates 100th birthday

Freya Lucas

Sep 25, 2020

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Not for profit organisation Meerilinga has wished former Kindergarten Teacher and Meerilinga Volunteer Grace Alexander a very happy 100th birthday, thanking her for her contribution to early childhood education and children in Western Australia.

Grace was born in Dumfermline, Scotland in 1920. She was the middle of three sisters, all of whom went on to qualify as teachers after being spurred on by their father who was a great believer in education for girls – this instigated her own interest and passion for education throughout her life.

After World War II, Grace and her husband moved to Nigeria where they had two daughters, before settling in Western Australia. Grace worked as a Kindergarten teacher at Hollywood and City Beach kindergartens, with an additional stint spent in the Pilbara.

Settling in Cottesloe, Grace spent her later years volunteering for Meerilinga as well as the Dyslexia – SPELD foundation of WA. Grace first started volunteering with Meerilinga in 1978 at the Early Education Library, until 1979 – when the Library was taken over by TAFE WA.

She then came back in 1990 -1997 and volunteered for Meerilinga Young Children’s Foundation which was located in the Old Meerilinga Building Hay Street West Perth.

Grace’s daughter Christine, said her mum loved children throughout her life and retained her staunch passion for education, saying she “never lost her zest for education instilled by her father.”

Grace celebrated her recent 100th birthday joined by family and friends, including five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren who held a morning tea in her honour.

To read more about Grace’s life please see here.

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