Riverside Preschool celebrates 20 years of educating and caring for children

Current and former students joined with families, friends, educators and dignitaries late last month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Riverside Preschool, a fifty place community preschool tucked away beside the Gladesville Bridge in the Sydney suburb of Henley.

More than 160 people participated in the celebrations, which featured Uncle Brendan from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council conducting a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, sharing a moving story from his lived experience as a member of the Stolen Generations. 

Hunters Hill Mayor Elizabeth Krassoi reflected on her memories as a Riverside Preschool parent, sharing tales of time her three children spent at the service, and local MP Trent Zimmerman donated three flags to the service to fly proudly. 

The parent committee organised a plaque commemorating the anniversary acknowledging the role that Riverside plays as a happy place for many children and families, something Director Leigh Coutman said had been particularly important during the challenging pandemic years. 

Children in attendance enjoyed the generous outdoor play space which has been developed into a child’s wonderland since the service opened in 2002, and now features a fort, a boat, a performing arts stage, a large sandpit and a bike path. 

They feasted on pizza and cupcakes after enjoying a magic show while families past and present caught up with one another and shared time with educators and the community after two years of restrictions. 

The day, which the children described as “the best day ever” was made all the more special because everyone was able to be there together, Ms Coutman said. 

To learn more about Riverside Preschool please see here.