Milestone celebration for kinder

BUNINYONG Uniting Kindergarten has turned sixty and a party was held with community members young and old on Saturday.

The event’s special guest was Florence Goodwin, aged 103, who was a teacher at the kinder for 18 years between 1966 and 1984.

Current kindergarten teachers discovered Ms Goodwin’s connection after she was a part of their grand buddies program which was initiated by teacher Jessica Barfoot.

“We write pen pal letters to elderly people in homes and each class is matched to a different service,” said teacher Emma Winter.

“Just by chance we found that Ms Goodwin was actually part of one of our groups and we realised her connection to the kinder.

“She was 101 at that stage, coming out to the kinder and doing the hokey pokey, sharing old stories and getting right into all the activities.”

Ms Goodwin made significant contributions to the kindergarten during her time there, helping establish the current site and advocating to get the slab built.

The event provided an opportunity for the community, and former students and teachers to come together, with a petting zoo, face painting, children’s activities, and a barbecue on site.

Aimme Lemman, parent of Archer who attends the kindergarten, said it is a welcoming environment.

“Archer has been in and out of daycares quite a lot and never settled anywhere,” she said.

“Someone suggested to bring him to Buninyong which was a little bit of a hike, but I was willing to give it a go.

“The transition has been absolutely incredible. It is the community and the township, everyone out in Buninyong is so friendly.”