Dealing with about 1800 families in her time she resigns with her head held high and both kindergartens almost at full enrolment capacity. 

Mrs McClure joined the educators, staff and volunteer Committees of Management in an administration support role which was part paid and part volunteer in 2000. 

“I started here when my eldest daughter was in three year old kindergarten and now she’s 21 and at university, so there you go,” Mrs McClure said.

She tended her resignation to the Kindergarten in June, providing six months notice so appropriate management decisions could be made.

Mrs McClure said an exciting announcement regarding management would be formally released in January. 

“The decision to resign was a tough one and as the only administration worker it was clear that a management review was required” she said. “Administration is not funded by the government in stand alone Kindergartens.” 

Mrs McClure also said the growth of her husband’s home business was another factor which contributed to leaving the preschool.  

“It has grown so much, so much so that it is too much for one person to do so I am going to go home and work on that with my husband,” she said. 

“I will be working alongside my husband in our courier business at Stawell which also services Halls Gap and Pomonal areas daily.”

Mrs McClure said she would miss the community spirit and welcoming environment within the organisation, along with the friendship of many educators, staff and families. 

“It’s about community, being involved and including everybody,” she said.

“It’s just a wonderful place for the kids to and that is important because the main priority is the children.”

Mrs McClure will still be part of the Kindergarten community in the short-term, facilitating the change-over in management. 

She will also be helping to organise two significant upcoming milestones in 2018.

Cooinda would have provided services to the Stawell community for 50 years and Marrang would have provided 20 years of service. 

“I wish to thank the many families for allowing me to be part of their children’s Kindergarten year,” Mrs McClure said. 

“I have found it an honour and a privilege.

“There are too many others to thank individually.  Many wonderful teachers, educators, support staff and volunteers have moved through both centres, but I will single out two current long-term educators Wendy Collier and Kathryn Richards.”