The People Who Have Helped Shape WCK
Throughout its history, Woombye Childcare Nature Kindergarten has been shaped by many remarkable people—educators, families, community members and even a few much-loved kindy dogs.
Kylie
For 13 years, Kylie worked alongside Nicola and became an important part of WCK and the wider Woombye community. For three years, she served as President of the Woombye Community and Business Association, alongside Nicola as Vice-President and William as Treasurer. Together with other dedicated community members, they helped establish the Woombye Community Garden and kept both the garden and the association going during years when community involvement was limited.
Jen
Jen played an important role in the beginnings of WCK’s nature education and farm programs. Through extensive training, shared learning and collaboration with Nicola and Vivienne, she helped build the knowledge and practices from which these programs grew. Jen alongside Nicola and the WCK team contributed to the research that informed The Mudbook: Nature Play Framework, led by Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles and published by the Queensland Government Department of Education in 2021. Southern Cross University Research Portal
Julie
Julie was also involved in this research and was there at the beginning of WCK’s Bush Kindy program in 2018. She has now returned to WCK, bringing that valuable history, knowledge and experience back to our community.
Tracey
A well-known Woombye local, Tracey has long been connected to the Woombye Snakes Football Club, where she helped care for and look out for many of the “Snakes lads” alongside raising her own two sons. Tracey has been part of the WCK team since around 2015 and continues to support our children and educators as our lunchtime relief educator.
Vivienne Walsh and the former FELC team
Vivienne Walsh our Consultant since 2019, introduced Julya, Sue, Shelly and other members of the former FELC team to WCK to help develop and lead our visual arts, nature art and land art programs. Each brought valuable knowledge, creativity, training and inspiration, helping to establish the strong place that art, clay, natural materials and creative expression continue to hold within the Woombye Way.
Julya remains our go-to person for artistic knowledge, advice and inspiration. It has been wonderful to watch her develop her own distinctive practice and become an award-winning ceramic artist.
Rachel
Today, Rachel carries this spirit forward. Deeply connected to Woombye, she actively supports the community through the Woombye Community and Business Association, where she has taken on the role of Vice-President, as well as through Bendigo Community Bank, Woombye festivals and other local initiatives.
Shar and Ruppert
Our kindy dogs also hold a special place in WCK’s story. Shar joined us in 2006 and remained a much-loved part of Woombye until he passed away in 2024. The unforgettable Ruppert began his role in 2015 and retired in 2025.
For many years, Shar and Ruppert welcomed children and families, offered comfort and companionship, and were loved by generations of WCK Explorers. Both remain an important part of Woombye’s memories and history.
These people—and many others—have each left something of themselves within WCK. Their knowledge, generosity, commitment and connection to Woombye have helped shape the community our children and families experience today.