Where it all began.. |
Gordon and Betty Ewin lived in Kununurra from 1968 to 1979 as pioneers of old Kununurra. Betty taught at the school and was Chairperson of the Womens Action Group as well as President of the local Country Womens Association. She served for 8 years as President of the Parents and Citizens Association and was founding President of Scouts in Kununurra. Betty was instrumental in obtaining funding for the original Ewin Centre building in Konkerberry Drive, lobbying the then Sir Charles Court Government for funds for a community centre which could accomodate the needs of women in an isolated town where there were few facilities or supports available.
The original Ewin Centre building was built to serve as a meeting space for womens groups, for childcare and to accomodate families from stations and communities who had to come in for hospital stays and other health reasons. During these years there was not even a waiting room at the hospital , which was then a demountable building which replaced an earlier hospital run by the Australian Inland Mission(A.I.M). Women coming to town from outlying areas to have babies literally had nowhere affordable to stay.
The Ewin's were involved with the early Church and Community Health Services in the Kimberley. Gordon was the local United Church minister and Chairperson of the Kununurra Progress Association among other things. Betty and Gordon left Kununurra in 1979 prior to the opening of the original Ewin Centre, which was officially opened in 1981 and named in honor of Betty Ewin. The Ewins left town as there was no high school and the eldest of their 3 boys had reached high school age. The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley handled the building of the centre and the need for childcare in Kununurra was identified.
The Ewin Centre Childrens Services Inc began providing Long Day Care services to families of Kununurra and surrounding areas around 1981. The service grew to include after school care, vacation and occasional care. In August 200, Ewin Centre Childrens Services vacated the original building and moved to the larger, purpose-built childcare facility on Chestnut Drive. The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley funded by Lotterywest as well as the State and Local Government funds, built the new facility.
The Ewin Early Learning Centre continues to operate as a not-for-profit community organisation managed jointly by an experienced General Manager, Coordinator and Board of Directors made up of parents and is supported by a fantastic team of enthusiastic, dedicated Educators and staff providing high quality childcare services to families in and around Kununurra.
The original Ewin Centre building was built to serve as a meeting space for womens groups, for childcare and to accomodate families from stations and communities who had to come in for hospital stays and other health reasons. During these years there was not even a waiting room at the hospital , which was then a demountable building which replaced an earlier hospital run by the Australian Inland Mission(A.I.M). Women coming to town from outlying areas to have babies literally had nowhere affordable to stay.
The Ewin's were involved with the early Church and Community Health Services in the Kimberley. Gordon was the local United Church minister and Chairperson of the Kununurra Progress Association among other things. Betty and Gordon left Kununurra in 1979 prior to the opening of the original Ewin Centre, which was officially opened in 1981 and named in honor of Betty Ewin. The Ewins left town as there was no high school and the eldest of their 3 boys had reached high school age. The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley handled the building of the centre and the need for childcare in Kununurra was identified.
The Ewin Centre Childrens Services Inc began providing Long Day Care services to families of Kununurra and surrounding areas around 1981. The service grew to include after school care, vacation and occasional care. In August 200, Ewin Centre Childrens Services vacated the original building and moved to the larger, purpose-built childcare facility on Chestnut Drive. The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley funded by Lotterywest as well as the State and Local Government funds, built the new facility.
The Ewin Early Learning Centre continues to operate as a not-for-profit community organisation managed jointly by an experienced General Manager, Coordinator and Board of Directors made up of parents and is supported by a fantastic team of enthusiastic, dedicated Educators and staff providing high quality childcare services to families in and around Kununurra.