Celebrating care, culture and commitment at Goodstart 

A national Goodies Award in 2025, recognising extraordinary community impact. Every Goodstart centre has people who make a difference. But once in a while, there’s someone whose impact is felt in every hello at the door, every carefully prepared meal, and every child who feels seen and valued. 

That person is Feny Belinda, Centre Cook and Educator at Goodstart Melbourne, proudly named Goodstarter of the Year in 2025. 

Generous and deeply committed, Feny has become the heartbeat of her centre. She lives and breathes Goodstart values, bringing consistency and kindness to children, families and colleagues each day. 

Goodstarter of the Year (Centre) recognises exceptional individuals who reflect the Goodstart values: people who create positive, lasting impact for children, families and teams. In 2025, Goodstart Melbourne nominated Feny Belinda for her extraordinary commitment, leadership and care.

A welcoming presence from the very first moment 

Feny opens the centre each morning without fail, ensuring everything is ready for families as they arrive. For many children – especially those experiencing emotional drop-offs, Feny is the calm and familiar face that makes all the difference. 

‘Despite being busy preparing meals and getting everything ready for the day, Feny always makes time,’ one parent shared. ‘She gently welcomes my children, giving them little tasks to ease the transition. Their faces light up the moment they see her.’ 

Parents consistently describe Feny as reassuring, soothing and joyful, someone who instinctively understands what children need in the moment. ‘She has the ability to make every child and their parents feel like the only person in the room,’ said another family. ‘From what they like to eat to the games they enjoy, she knows them as individuals.'

Nourishing children and a diverse community 

As the centre’s cook, Feny’s impact goes far beyond the kitchen. She prepares nutritious, delicious meals while thoughtfully reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of the families she serves. 

Each week, she incorporates cultural dishes inspired by the centre community, ensuring no child feels left out and everyone feels represented. 

‘Feny doesn’t just cook meals,’ said Centre Performance Coach Tracy Clery.  

‘She builds inclusion through food, promotes healthy eating, and has exceptional knowledge of allergies and dietary needs.’ 

Her attention to detail, cleanliness and commitment to food safety recently earned her an Excellence Award from Food Hygiene Australia, a rare and outstanding result. 

Auditor Jonathon from Food Hygiene Australia noted: ‘The kitchen was found to be very clean, well organised, and well maintained to a high standard. Feny shows a strong commitment to food safety and maintains records to an excellent standard.’ 

Going above and beyond every day 

While Feny’s role officially finishes mid-afternoon, she is often still there, helping colleagues, supporting ratios, setting others up for success, and generously sharing her time. 

This year, she also volunteered as the centre’s Safety Champion, supporting daily health and safety tasks, leading discussions in staff meetings and contributing to a culture of shared responsibility. 

‘She rarely leaves at her finishing time because she wants to help everyone,’ said Centre Director Emily Beaumont. ‘She enjoys setting people up for success.’ 

Her generosity extends to staff wellbeing too, often sharing excess meals so colleagues can take food home to their families, a gesture that has never gone unnoticed. 

Loved by families, respected by colleagues 

Across testimonials from parents, educators and support teams, the same words appear again and again, kindness, warmth, dedication, trust. 

‘Feny truly makes my life easier in the morning,’ said parent Cassie. 

‘Her kindness and positive energy reassure me that my child is in good hands,’ shared Karen.  

‘She brings comfort not only to the kids, but to us as parents,’ said another family. 

Colleagues echo the sentiment. 

‘Her smile is all we need in the morning to feel energetic and ready to work,’ said Senior Educator Eva.  

‘Your dedication, grace and quiet strength inspire everyone around you,’ shared Julie, Senior Educator. 

Why Feny represents the best of Goodstart 

Feny reminds us that leadership isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like consistency, care, or knowing every child by name.  

As one parent beautifully put it: ‘The childcare system needs more people like Feny. Her kindness, dedication and heart make a lasting difference every single day.’  

Feny’s win is a celebration of a remarkable individual and of what’s possible at Goodstart. We're a workplace where people are supported to lead with heart and grow their impact, and we take great pride in the difference they make. 

Q & A with Feny

1. What did it mean for you to win this award? 

Winning Goodstarter of the Year means a lot to me. This is not just an award - it’s a reminder of why I do what I do. It inspires the people around me and it reminds me that showing up with passion, kindness and commitment truly matters. 

When I look at where I started and where I am now, I feel incredibly grateful. I never imagined I would grow into multiple roles, but with hard work, dedication and the unwavering support of so many wonderful people at Goodstart, I’ve become someone I’m really proud of. 

2. Any advice for other Goodstarters? 

My advice to other Goodstarters is, 'Hard work never goes unnoticed. It always pays off in the end.' 

 

I began my journey at Goodstart in 2020 as a centre cook. From day one, I wanted to give my best. While working part-time in 2022, I studied Early Childhood Education so I could contribute to the centre even more.

 

When I graduated, my former Centre Director trusted me with a dual role, educator / morning responsible person. I opened the centre, built secure relationships with the children, and supported families. Every day taught me something new about resilience, responsibility, heart and motivation to be a better worker. 

 

This year, I stepped into another role as the Health and Safety Champion because I wanted to keep growing. I may not have decades of experience, but what I do have is a willingness to learn, to listen to advisors and to keep improving. 

 

When you show up with a teachable spirit and a genuine heart, people around you notice. You gain their trust and more importantly, you gain confidence in yourself.

3. What do you love about being a Goodstarter? 

The best part of being a Goodstarter is the sense of belonging. I’m part of a team that truly cares: about the children, the families, the staff and even about me. 

 

I feel seen, cared, supported and inspired every single day. It’s very important and a privilege to build meaningful relationships with the children and their families, to watch the children grow in confidence, discover new things and enjoy the meals I prepare with love and it’s equally special to work beside a team that shares the same heart and purpose. 

 

Seeing children thrive while we, as a team, give our best to the centre, that’s what fills my heart. That’s what makes all of this worth it.

Discover more inspiring stories and award winners from the 2025 National Goodies Awards and learn what makes Goodstart a great place to work and belong.