Many firsts at Gordon’s new kindergarten

CHILDREN have had a busy eight weeks at Gordon’s new kindergarten which aims to promote a supportive and culturally welcoming environment.

Eighteen enrolments of three- and four-year-old children have been enjoying the new facility on the corner of Dicker and Stanley streets next to Gordon Primary School. The kinder is the first in Gordon and of its service model.

Manager Bridget Buttacavoli said the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) became the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) to deliver a kinder on a school site.

In 2025, BADAC became Victoria’s first ACCO-led early years manager.

“The motivation behind this growth was to provide culturally welcoming, safe and nurturing educational services while hopefully serving as an inspiration for other ACCOs to do the same,” Ms Buttacavoli said.

She said there was a need for a kinder in the Gordon region.

“With two primary schools within the community, there was a clear deficit in the provision of early education, causing families to have to access services within neighbouring localities,” she said.

Ms Buttacavoli said the kindergarten on a school site model helped nurture positive and successful transitions into formal schooling.

Since the doors opened at the start of term one, Gordon Kindergarten children have been busy with activities and taking part in major events.

“We entered the Central Highlands Art Competition within the Begonia Festival celebrations where we painted a Red Tailed Black Cockatoo, showcasing how it interacts with water,” Ms Buttacavoli said.

The children also marched with pupils from the primary school at the Ballan Autumn Festival. They paraded down the streets of Ballan with a big caterpillar made at the school.

They have also familarised themselves with the primary school’s facilities. More information, including enrolments, can be found at moorabool.vic.gov.au.