OUR COMMITTEE
The Gembrook Preschool is proudly managed by a committee of parents; elected by parents attending the Annual General Meeting held in November each year. It is a voluntary committee responsible for the day to day running of the centre and the budget, which includes payment of the educators. Our dedicated committee works passionately in fostering extra revenue for resources through fundraising and grants, enrich community engagement and involvement through community events and communications, and behind the scenes maintenance to support Gembrook Preschool and Educators.
Committee meetings are held at the kindergarten at a regular monthly date, agreed upon by the current committee. These meetings provide a forum to share ideas, contribute to discussions and decision making about the management of the pre-school and develop an understanding of what is happening within the preschool, with educator’s reports also presented. All parents, whether Committee members or not, are welcome to attend these meetings to gain an understanding of the management process.
Meet our diligent 2025 Committee members below.
Stephen Cameron
President
It’s my privilege to join the committee in 2025 as President. I’m excited to work with our talented team and the wider community to support all the initiatives that make Gembrook Preschool so special and unique. My family moved to Gembrook a few years ago, and our eldest daughter thrived during her time at preschool. We were amazed to see the educators’ incredible level of care, dedication and expertise in action. Our second daughter will start in 2025, and I can’t wait to watch the next intake of children and their families have the same enriching experience that Gembrook Preschool is renowned for.
Toni Kent
Vice President
I joined the committee in 2024 within the website/IT team and I am so excited to be the 2025 Vice President of Gembrook Preschool. This is a place that has made our family, especially our son feel included, safe and and cared for. I am excited to give back to the Preschool, and actively support our committee, educators and children.
Kaite Saunders
Treasurer
I joined the committee of management at the beginning of 2024 in the communications role and am thrilled to be continuing into 2025 as Treasurer.
Gembrook Preschool isn’t your average Kindergarten; it’s a vibrant community that strives to ensure every child and their families feel welcome, supported and incredibly loved. I joined the committee as a way of supporting the preschool but it has also been a wonderful opportunity to do something a little out of my comfort zone which to me has been invaluable.
Caitlin McNeil
Secretary
I joined the committee of management in the secretary role towards the end of 2023, and have since been Vice President during 2024 and am now moving into Secretary for 2025. My main reason for joining the committee is because Gembrook Preschool, the educators and the preschool families; have been absolutely wonderful to our family, and in particular to my son, during our time at the preschool. Being on committee was my way of being able to give back to the preschool. It’s also been a great opportunity to meet people and form connections within the community.
WarCommittee Roles
Grants and Projects:
– Peta Barnett
Liaise with committee and staff regarding possible projects
Seek relevant grants and submit applications. If grant is successful, organise completion of project (often in collaboration with Cardinia Shire Council) – may require delegation to other committee members
Website:
– Toni Kent
- Maintain & update the Preschool’s newly completed website as required
- Setup, maintain and troubleshoot all internals emailing
- Previous IT experience is desirable, but not required
Communications:
– Jordan Mepstead
- Coordinate and distribute monthly or quarterly newsletter,
- Communicate to families via Storypark as requested,
- Administer the Preschool external Facebook account, and general marketing materials,
- Distribute pamphlets/brochures as required by committee and staff
Maintenance:
– Lisa McQuilten
- Ensure outdoors are kept in a safe condition (minor repairs of outdoor equipment, as required)
- Lawn mowing & edging, pruning trees & plants, maintaining paths & weed removal
- Assist in planning working bees (approx. 2-3 per year)
- Ensure indoors are kept in a safe condition (Repair of indoor equipment/toys, as required)
Book Club:
– Grace Gooren
- Distribute Book Club order forms
- Collate orders and distribute completed orders
Fundraising:
– Nadia Davison and Whitney Davie
- Plan fundraising activities – approximately two fundraising activities per term
- Major fundraising activities organised with the assistance of the whole committee and other volunteers (eg. Mother’s & Father’s Day Raffles; Parent’s only social function)
- Report back to Committee regarding the viability of the fundraising activities
Community Events:
– Brooke Wende and Amy Darling
- Plan community based events and activites
- Major activities organised with the assistance of the while committee and other volunteers (eg. Bunnings Sausage Sizzle; Light Up Gembrook)
Sustainability:
– Brooke Duggan and Lauren Anderson
- Ensuring our Preschool is utilising sustainable resources
- Implementing recycling systems (eg. General Recycling; Used pens and textas)
General Committee:
Abbey Benham, Danielle Scott, Sarah McDonald, Phil Inger, Sarah Farr, Andrea Ware and Matt Tresidder