About Us

In 1963 and 1964, more jumble sales, street stalls, a Kindy Quin competition, barbeques, a 200 club and a Major Art Union all met with good responses. The Creche and Kindergarten Association gave valuable advice and assistance in these early days and help from the local newspaper, radio stations, services and clubs all greatly assisted our Kindergarten’s cause.

By the beginning of 1964 the Kindergarten has raised £6,000, had borrowed £8,000, received subsidies of £300 and £250 from the Toowoomba City Council and State Government, and persuaded various business houses to act as Guarantors. Strohfeldt and Sons were given the task of building the Centre and by July construction was underway and completed in October at a cost of £7,500.

Committee members assisted with the many jobs on-site as well as numerous behind the scenes activities. Working bees were frequent, attending to jobs such as spreading topsoil, planting grass runners, assisting the extremely helpful Apex Club who constructed the sandpit and equipment shed. Further meetings discussed the Official Opening Day, enrolments, fees and staffing.  The equipment committee spent up to £700 on the purchase of necessary equipment for the centre including tables, chairs, a piano, blocks and lockers.

On Saturday, 20 March 1965, the Kindergarten was officially opened by the Mayor, Alderman J McCafferty to a crowd of 100 people.

The untiring efforts of the founding members of the Association, particularly Mr Doug Custance, had come to fruition.  Of course, the hard work did not stop then.  Donations of items kept coming in from such Clubs as Toowoomba Apex, West Toowoomba Apex, West Toowoomba Rotary, Compass Girls Club and Downlands Hobby Club, further fundraising schemes were necessary.  The Mothers Club was always busy. In the first couple of years Christmas trees went on sale, stockings were made and sold to friends, barbecues, pig on the spit, dances, garden fetes, gambling nights and find the ball competition all assisted in the continuing acquisition of equipment.

Affiliation with the Creche and Kindergarten Association (C&K) was granted in that first year meaning Vera Lacaze had achieved the mandatory high standards laid down by the Association. Parental involvement has always been encouraged at the Kindergarten. Being a Community Kindergarten the Centre has always been available to High School and Tertiary Students to become involved in the programme. Over the past 45 years, many families have been fortunate to have had an association with the Kindergarten. Many parents, particularly Committee Members, as well as Staff Members have worked extremely hard for the benefit of the Centre. It is because of the endless hard work shown by this core of people that Vera Lacaze Kindergarten is still operating today. The Centre is one of the original founding Committee should be proud – it remains a pace-setter in the education of 3-5 year old’s in Toowoomba.