Shine Bright kindergartens have a long histrory of being at the heart of rural and regional communities including in Kyabram, where the Fenaughty Street Kindergarten has operated for nearly seventy years. This year, Kyabram is celebrating 150 years of community spirit and the Shine Bright kindergarten is an important part of that history.
For almost 70 years, Fenaughty Street Kindergarten has welcomed generations of children through its doors, offering early childhood education, friendship and belonging to Kyabram families. Its story is one of vision, persistence and extraordinary community effort.
The kindergarten was founded after many years of voluntary fundraising by a dedicated group of local women led by Mrs Crawford. Through the remarkable efforts of Irene and Madge Dillon, Lois Higgs, Shirley Kuhle, Betty Patterson, Irma McMaster-Smith, Alma Pitts, Doris Vick, Glenda McDonald and Sheila Anderson, the dream of a kindergarten in Kyabram became a reality.
Christmas party at the kinder circa 1970
The inaugural committee, led by president Irene Dillon and secretary Lois Higgs, helped shape a service that would become a cherished part of the town’s fabric. From the beginning, Fenaughty Street Kindergarten reflected Kyabram at its best: practical, generous and deeply committed to its youngest residents.
In its first year, the kindergarten welcomed 60 four-year-old children, attending in two groups of 30. Fees were one pound and three shillings — about $2.30 — per term, a small figure that now forms part of a much larger and much-loved local legacy.
When the Fenaughty Street building was designed and built, it was considered a state-of-the-art facility. Co-located with the Maternal and Child Health nursing team, it created an early “one-stop shop” for young families — a thoughtful model of care that has stood the test of time.
Educators in 1987
Across the decades, the kindergarten has seen children return as parents and grandparents, bringing new generations to the same place where their own early learning journeys began. These family connections are part of what makes Fenaughty Street so special — not just as a kindergarten, but as a keeper of memories, milestones and community pride.
The kindergarten’s story also reflects the enduring support of the wider community. Originally supported by Kyabram Town Council, later by the Kyabram Pre School Management Committee and now managed by Shine Bright EYM, Fenaughty Street Kindergarten continues to benefit from a strong association with Campaspe Shire Council, which maintains the building.
A recent refurbishment has added another chapter to this proud history, ensuring the building can continue to support early childhood education in Kyabram well into the future. It is a fitting investment in a place that has already given so much to so many.
As Kyabram marks 150 years, Fenaughty Street Kindergarten stands as a joyful reminder of what communities can build together. We thank those who came before us, who recognised the importance of early childhood education and worked so hard to make it possible. Today, we feel proud to be part of the Fenaughty Street family, proud to be part of Kyabram, and excited for the generations still to come.
Past educators at 50 year celebrations
Educators in 2025, continuing the tradition of a strong community presence in Kyabram.