All-staff conference brings YRK together

Yarra Ranges Kindergartens (YRK) came together at the Eastern Golf Club for our All-Staff Conference; a day of connection, learning, reflection and celebration.

Centred on ‘Our Story’, the conference explored where YRK has come from, what matters to our people and communities, and how we write our next chapter together.

CEO Juliette Hammond shared YRK’s emerging Strategy 2030, including our focus on navigating change, building a sustainable network, and positioning YRK for the future.

As Victoria’s early childhood sector changes through Best Start, Best Life reforms, YRK is committed to growing and adapting without losing the local connections that make our kindergartens special.

“Our smaller, community-based kindergartens and their local identities are an important part of the YRK story,” Juliette said. “As we prepare for the future, we want to protect those connections while building a stronger, sustainable and more connected network of kindergartens.”

Throughout the day, staff shared the stories and strengths of their kindergartens, learned together and explored resilience, communication and how we can work even better as one YRK.

We also celebrated staff reaching significant service milestones and thanked them for the contribution they continue to make to our children, families and communities.

YRK may be celebrating 30 years, but many of our kindergartens have been part of their local communities for even longer. Those histories and relationships are something we are proud to carry with us into the future.

For families, that means the best of both worlds: the local identity and community connections of your neighbourhood kindergarten, supported by the strength of the wider YRK network.