Our Story

Our Committee

President:

Katherine Wilson - Circle Early Learning

Secretary:

Haylie Sloan - Apprenticeship Support

Treasurer:

Janine Lewis - Blayney Public School

Judges Liaison:

Kim Laird - Department of Education

Committee Members:

Samantha Stevenson - Rise Early Learning

Jodie Dukes - Forbes Learning Ladder

The Central West Early Childhood Awards celebrate the dedicated educators, leaders, trainees and services who make an extraordinary difference in the lives of children and families throughout our region.

Early childhood education is more than a profession - it's a calling. Every day, educators create environments where children feel safe, valued and inspired to learn. They support families, foster inclusion, encourage curiosity and help shape the foundations of lifelong learning.

These awards were established to recognise those who consistently go above and beyond in their commitment to children, their colleagues ad their communities.

They honour excellence, innovation, leadership and passion that makes the Central west such a wonderful place for children to grow.

The Central West Early Childhood Awards are an opportunity for our communities to say THANK YOU to the people whose dedication often goes unseen but whose impact lasts a lifetime.

Together lets celebrate the incredible people who are shaping the future - one child at a time.

After COVID, Katherine Wilson from Circle Early Learning and Kim Laird from Bowen Early Intervention, had many discussions about how hard COVID was on educators morale and how we needed something to give us back our MOJO!

Katy Matheson, also from Circle Early Learning, helped Kim and Katherine set up the first Central West Early Childhood Awards in 2023.

Now with a strong committee of committed professionals the awards have grown substantially from that first year.