Community & Business
20 November, 2025
Gilgandra Preschool is an award winner - again!
Gilgandra Preschool was named as the Innovation Award winner and was also a finalist in the Organisation of the Year (Small) category.
Gilgandra Preschool has won numerous major awards recently, including being named as a national innovation award winner at the Reimagine Australia Conference dinner and awards late last month. The 2025 Reimagine Australia Awards were held at Manly, Sydney on October 27, 2025 and recognised excellence, innovation, and leadership in supporting children and families across Australia.
The Innovation Award honours creative approaches that transform practice and positively impact children and families.
Gilgandra Preschools’ work in early intervention, integrating occupational therapy and speech and language programs into their curriculum through school readiness and ‘train the trainer’ models were recognised.
The Reimagine Australia website stated the Innovation Award celebrated bold, creative approaches that challenge the status quo and deliver measurable improvements in outcomes for children and families.
“This national recognition is an honour that celebrates our belief that true innovation comes from pushing boundaries and striving for programs that sit outside the typical box to meet the evolving needs of children,” Gilgandra Preschool Incorporated director Kristy Hyndes said.
“Our specialised early intervention and Bush Preschool programs are designed to meet children where they are, on Country, in nature, and within relationships that honour their strengths and identities.
“We are proud to lead a model that brings together allied health, cultural learning, and outdoor education to create powerful outcomes for children. This award confirms that rural communities can be leaders in innovation, delivering programs that are both unique and deeply impactful.”
Gilgandra Preschool has also won the Excellence in Children’s Safety, Excellence in Inclusivity Practices and Training Excellence Award at the gala event at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency on Saturday, November 8. These state-based awards recognised industry leaders in NSW.
In addressing the Excellence in Children’s Safety win, Kristy noted: ‘Children’s safety is the heartbeat of our preschool.’
“Safety is lived every day not just taught or written in policy,” she said.
“Staff understand their requirements and the children learn to recognise their rights and participate in decisions that keep them safe. We are proud to lead the way with a safety culture that have the children at the forefront of practice.”
Summarising the Excellence in Inclusivity Practices award, Kristy said: ‘Inclusion is who we are’ at Gilgandra Preschool.
“Every child who walks through our doors is recognised, respected, and supported to thrive in ways that honour their strengths, culture, and individuality,” she said.
“Our whole service is commitment to accessible environments, early intervention, cultural connections, emotional wellbeing, and truly belonging. We are proud to be a community where every child’s voice matters.”
Kristy believed the Training Excellence Award was recognition of Gilgandra Preschool’s leading practices to ensure staff and children can grow together.
“We believe that when educators are supported to grow, children flourish. Our training culture strives to develop confident, capable professionals who deliver exceptional early learning every day,” she said.
“By investing in mentoring, professional development, and strong partnerships with quality training organisations, we create a workforce that is stable, skilled, and deeply committed to our community. This recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our team.”
