When Veronica Sutherland started at a small childcare centre in Gilgandra in 2000, she was there to help in the office. Twenty-five years later, the children she once cared for are bringing their own children through the same doors.
Today, "Miss Veronica" is the Centre Manager of Aussie Kindies Gilgandra and one of the most recognised faces in town. Her story shows what early childhood education can mean to a community when the same people show up for its children, year after year.
From the office to the educator floor
When Veronica first joined, the centre was called The Learning Tree. She was employed as "the office lady", looking after administration.
That changed when the centre found itself short of educators.
"They were struggling for educators, so silly me went and did my Diploma to help them out!" Veronica said.
When the Centre Manager later moved on, Veronica stepped into the role. She has now led the centre for more than 20 years.
"I stepped in and never looked back. I've been a jack of all trades," she said.
Her path from administration to qualified educator to centre leader is one that many people in the sector follow. Affinity Education supports team members to gain qualifications such as the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and to build towards centre leadership roles.
Hundreds of children, one familiar face
Each year, around 20 to 25 children graduate from the centre's Preschool Program. Over 25 years, that means Veronica and her team have helped prepare more than 500 local children for the move to primary school.
For Veronica, the greatest reward is seeing where those children go next.
"The highs every day come from the children. I'll be in the supermarket and hear, 'Miss Veronica!' It might be a three year old or it might be a 30 year old recognising me!" she said.
"I have the photos and memories of hundreds of Gilgandra's little people, and now I see those same people walking around town as adults. It's beautiful to have been part of their journey."
A photograph that tells the whole story
One photograph on Veronica's desk captures her legacy better than any certificate could. It shows five children she cared for in the nursery during her early years at the centre, reunited years later when they were in high school.
Two of the girls in that photograph are now sending, or preparing to send, children of their own to Aussie Kindies Gilgandra. Another came back to the centre to work as an educator.
One of those former nursery children, Hayley Sutton, will see her daughter start at the centre in 2027.
"My memories are so happy, it's the number one centre in my eyes," Hayley said.
"Even though it's scary to be sending my daughter off to daycare next year, I know she's going to be in great hands, and my son will go the year after."
In 2026, the milestone has become even more personal. Veronica's own granddaughter is graduating from the centre's Preschool Program and getting ready to start primary school.
Built on a team that stays
Veronica is quick to share the credit with the people around her. Many of her team have been part of the centre for a long time.
- Early Childhood Teacher Melissa Watt has worked alongside Veronica for 20 years
- Educator Kristy has been with the centre for 14 years
- Educator Michelle Holland has been with the centre for seven years
"When you get great people, we stay together as a team and we do everything for the children to help them develop a lifelong love of learning," Veronica said.
"I've always tried to run the centre the best I can. I believe in good management and making sure our families and team value and respect the service we provide."
"I can't say there have been a lot of lows. Staffing is always a challenge, but I've genuinely enjoyed every day here and I've got a great team."
A legacy that has come full circle
Affinity Education CEO Glen Hurley said Veronica's 25 years of service represented an extraordinary contribution to both early education and the Gilgandra community.
"There are very few careers where you have the privilege of seeing the impact of your work come full circle quite like this. Veronica has cared for and educated children who are now returning to Aussie Kindies Gilgandra as parents themselves, entrusting her team with the next generation of their family. That is an extraordinary legacy," Mr Hurley said.
"For 25 years, Veronica has been a passionate advocate for children's learning, safety and wellbeing. She has led with warmth, resilience and an unwavering commitment to quality, building the kind of trust with families that can only be earned over time. We are incredibly proud to have Veronica as part of Affinity Education and enormously grateful for everything she has contributed to her team, her families and the Gilgandra community," he said.
Morning tea, football in Japan and no plans to stop
Some of Veronica's favourite memories happened well beyond the centre gates.
"One of my favourites was three of the boys who, when they graduated from kindy, told their parents they wanted to take me out for morning tea at the cafe down the road, and so we walked down and had tea together," she said.
"They still keep in touch. One of them is over in Japan playing football. I'm so proud of what the children achieve, and I love following their lives."
After a quarter of a century at the centre, Veronica has no immediate plans to step away.
"I'm 55 now and my husband says I won't retire. I think he's right," she said. "While I can keep doing this job, I will."
Congratulations, Miss Veronica, and thank you for 25 years of care, learning and community in Gilgandra.