Brief History Of Cronulla Kindergarten - By Pam McDowell

In 1939, my aunt, a Mrs Alma Hubery and her very good friend Mrs Ferguson-Woods, who both had small children, recognised the needs of mothers and children in the local area. Both women began door-knocking at homes where there were obvious signs of young children, such as prams, strollers, and nappies on the clothesline, or they would just stop mums in the street to gather interest in starting a Kindergarten.

This was very successful, and the first Kindergarten was opened in an old white wooden house owned by the Church of England. Sunday School was held there on Sunday mornings, fellowship for older children at night, and on weekdays it was a Kindergarten for three- to five-year-olds.

This Kindergarten was located on the corner of Ocean Grove Avenue and Gerrale Street where there are now units and restaurants.

The kindergarten then moved to an old house on the grounds of South Cronulla Primary School. The house was situated on the corner of Lucas Street and Ewos parade. It was run from there until the South Cronulla Primary School was extended and the extra land was needed.

The next move was to a very large old house on the corner of Sunset Avenue and Nicholson Parade – the site where it still operates today. The original house was used for many years caring for the needs of most of Cronulla’s children and those of surrounding areas.

Some children used to be picked up from the station on a regular bus run. One of the staff always accompanied them. They were then picked up by bus in the afternoon from the kindergarten.
The grounds were always a lovely play area, but the rooms of the house were small, and the toilets, bathroom and kitchen were not up to standard. One large room had been built on the back of the house with a small stage area and this opened onto a big cement play area. This area was used by the three-year-olds. We also held our concert and parties there.

Finally, the wood in the old part of the house was very much affected by white ants and it all had to go. During this time (circa 1975), Gough Whitlam was the Prime Minister, and he granted us funds for a new kindergarten to be built on the same site.

During the years that the Whitlam’s lived in South Cronulla, their children had attended the kindergarten, both parents were on the Committee and Margaret Whitlam was President.

When the old Kindergarten came down, we were allowed the use of the Congregational Church Hall in Wilshire Avenue for the six months needed to build the current structure.

Cronulla Kindergarten was officially opened on 7th August 1976. Kurnell Kindergarten was built around the same time and was designed by the same architect.

The new Cronulla Kindergarten was financed by the Federal Government and the land was owned by the local Council. At this time the Council always gave money towards expenses but that stopped some years ago, and now the kindergarten is Government subsidised only.

Good financial management during the past few years has kept the fees down. No donation of money or property left in wills has ever been given to the kindergarten despite rumours to the contrary.

Over the years since 1939 so very many children have attended the kindergarten and so many have gone on to be outstanding citizens in their chosen fields of science, commerce, law, medicine, sports and numerous other rewarding occupations and lifestyles.

Many past pupils now bring their own children or grandchildren back here to the kindergarten they once attended. Mrs. Pam McDowell was a loyal and dedicated staff member of the Preschool who provided 29 years of service until she retired in early 2003.