Mungindi bands together to create ECEC solutions 

Community members from the remote farming community of Mungindi, on the New South Wales/Queensland border have banded together to find a solution to early childhood education and care (ECEC) challenges, with a new pre-fabricated centre now under construction and due to land in Mungindi later this year, catering for both long day care and preschool options. 

Mungindi residents, under the banner of the Mungindi Community Education Association (MCEA), rallied after the Mungindi Community Preschool (MCP) closed at the end of 2023 – after 50 years of operation – due to changes in government funding. 

A statement released at the time by the MCP Management Committee read: “The Mungindi Community Preschool is one of the few early education centres that will be disadvantaged by this change.”

“Unfortunately, the loss of funding will be financially detrimental and prevent our ongoing operation.

“Despite all our incredible sponsors, fundraising efforts, and amazing contributors who work tirelessly to sustain the Mungindi Community Preschool, without the significant contribution from the Department of Education, it is not feasible to continue operating.”

Local Ashlee Johnston was one of many families impacted by the decision, sharing her story with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), saying the many months she spent driving 300 kilometers a day to access care placed enormous strain on the family. 

As with many regional, rural and remote communities, Mungindi is in a childcare desert, with four to 12 children competing for each available placement. 

Thankfully, thanks to the work of the MCEA, more places will still be available, with Moree Plains Shire Council (NSW), Balonne Shire Council (Qld), the NSW government, and federal government all contributing to the cause, along with a top-up of funds coming directly from the Mungindi community to fund the almost $1 million project.

MCEA president Lisa Orchin said she has been “blown away” by people’s generosity.

“It’s the cause that sold it,” she said. “Child care touches everybody’s hearts. There’s not one community that doesn’t need it.”

In another piece of good fortune, Mungindi has no problems with finding staffing for the service, and now simply needs its new building to be ready. 

While they wait, children and educators have made themselves at home in the town’s hall with staff from the former preschool, and a waiting list for the permanent centre is growing by the week.

“How many places have the staff, the children, but don’t have the bricks and mortar?” Ms Orchin said.

Sealing the sentiment of success, the region has just experienced a high yield harvest, with donations of grain from local farmers adding to the coffers, helping to fund final touches for landscaping and playgrounds. 

Ms Orchin and others involved in getting the service up and running hope that it will bring more young families to the area. 

“As a farmer in this area, one of the big things we need are employees,” she said.

“We’re handing over to the next generation and with them comes a whole new age of workforce.”

To read the original coverage of this story please see here.