This photo appeared in the Bulletin, Number 20, 1990.

The text was: "Much needed extensions to child care centre Work on extensions to Wonnayba Child Care Centre – one of the University’s two community-based centres – is expected to be commenced in the long vacation. Estimated to cost $220,000, the extensions should be ready for use by mid-1991. The extensions provide a total 303 square metres of additional floor space, comprising three rooms – for children under two, children two to three and children three to 5.

The extensions will alleviate some of the critical demand for child care place presently coming from the community, although the centre is expected to continue to have a long waiting list of applications. Wonnayba now provides care for 25 children. As the result of the construction of Stage II, it will accommodate 40 children.

Originally the residence of the Caretaker of the former CAE, the care centre was opened in 1984. Wonnayba means ‘a gathering place of small child children’ in Awabakal.

Being a community –based centre, Wonnayba is administered by a management committee represent parents and the community. A representative of the Newcastle University Students’ Association is included on the committee because the association provides sponsorship. Mr Tony Proust is the Chair of the Management Committee. The Director, Ms Debbie Quirk, has a staff of five – a Mothercraft nurse and a child care worker work in the Nursery and the Director, who is a teacher, a child care worker and assistant work in the Older Room. The centre opens from 8 am until 5.30 pm daily for 48 weeks of the year. Ms Quirk said the Department of Community Services and Health, which partly funded the operations of the care centre, had a big say in provision of facilities. The Department allocated the licence. Mr Quirk said that approval of the extensions was long-awaited and things at the centre would be much better when the work was completed. “We will concentrate on the area least provided for at the moment – the nursery – and we look forward to having the improved facilities”.

Parents wishing to enrol their children could obtain application forms from the child care centre. For places for children under two there is presently a waiting list of about two years."

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