Our Place
We deliver programs, activities and services that respond to emerging and ongoing needs. We celebrate diversity and offer an inclusive, welcoming environment for all community members.
Our spaces and venue hire offer flexibility for training, functions, birthday parties, meetings, short courses and more. Our new multipurpose centre offers versatile spaces and training facilities.
Our Team
Bowen Street is administered by a manager and the administration support team, alongside childcare educators. A Management Committee meet for governance and planning. Alongside developing strategic goals within the neighbourhood house framework, the manager is responsible for the coordination of the day-to-day operations. Further, in assisting to ensure a wide range of recreation, childcare, social and educational activities relevant to the whole community and as a venue for community groups.
+ Our Community
We support other organisations and are sensitive to responding to the needs of the community. Read more.
+ Volunteering & Work Experience
Develop friendships and links to the local community, find new skills, open new doors, gain valuable work experience.
As a volunteer, you can make a difference to the families and members that use the centre. We often seek positions in our Committee of Management e.g. Vice Treasurer, Staff Liaison Officer, Playgroup Liaison Officer or General Committee Members. We also need volunteers for individual events, tutoring in topics such as cooking and computer skills, short and long-term projects, reception, childcare, handyman, sewing and gardening. We work with secondary school students with the Year 10 Work Experience program and Duke of Edinburgh Award and other educational initiatives.
Please email or call us if interested in joining our vibrant team.
+ Our History
Bowen Street emerged from the determination and fundraising efforts of local families. In the early 1980's Maternal and Child Health Nurse Sister Lois Thomas encouraged mothers to seek Council support to upgrade an empty room behind the Maternal and Child Health Centre to provide a range of family services. Demand soon exceeded space and the committee of young mothers researched needs, lobbied Council and after four years of challenging work, moved into the existing purpose-built facility in December 1991. Further upgrading and renovation of facilities have taken place over the last twenty years and continue to occur to ensure we are providing an accessible and relevant Community Centre. In 2021, a fully renovated multi-purpose facility in the former Maternal Health Centre building has further expanded our venue spaces and training opportunities.
ADMIN & VOLUNTEERS
+ Mary Liston - Manager
I’ve been Manager for 20 years and loved the opportunity to work with the local community and respond to their needs. I came to Bowen Street with a background in Nursing, Protective Services and Floristry. Reading yoga, gardening, live music and theatre, and fishing are a few of my favourite things.
To be creative in my role that provides services and programs to engage and connect families and importantly - reduce social isolation, has been incredibly rewarding. We have seen four major developments since I started at Bowen Street in September 2001. This includes major interior refurbishment of both properties (now under our helm) and our two creative playgrounds adjoining the Childcare and Playgroup rooms. I’m so fortunate to have such a supportive team of educators, volunteers, administrators, and tutors who take pride in what they do and support each other, to provide quality services and programs. It’s good to know I’ll leave Bowen Street in a better place one day.
+ Dianne Webster - Administration
I have been associated with the Bowen Street Community Centre since 1991 when the current building was finished and my playgroup was offered a spot. My daughter was 2 years old. By the time my second daughter came along, I had joined the Committee and then did a year as President. I loved my playgroup/committee time at the Bowen Street Family Centre, as it was then known, so when the opportunity of an administration job came along I went for it and have been there ever since.
+ Zsuzsanna Kollár - Admin Assistant
I joined the Bowen Street Community Centre in 2016 as a volunteer and later, started working as an administrative assistant on Thursdays. Bowen Street Community Centre is not just a lovely place for children and adults, but is also a fantastic place to work, full of friendly, funny and helpful people.
+ Meredith Hudson - Admin Volunteer
I joined the Bowen Street Community Centre in August of 2022 as an Admin Volunteer following my retirement back in 2018.
Becoming a volunteer has proved both rewarding and motivating.
I am enjoying working with the wonderful staff and educators at the BSCC.
+ Emma Sigley - Childcare Volunteer
Emma has her Certificate 3 in Early Childhood and has been volunteering for about 14 years assisting in the Childcare Rooms.
+ Nadia Scroce - Childcare Volunteer
Nadia has been volunteering at Bowen Street for the last 14 years helping in the Childcare Room and keeps our kitchen organised and clean too.
TUTORS
+ Gay Clarke – Art Tutor
Gay Clarke studied Art and Design at CIT (Caulfield Institute of Technology) and completed her teaching qualifications at Melbourne University. She was Head of the Art Department at Malvern Girls High School for 10 years. Gay moved to Brighton Bay Photography in the 90s ending her formal career as Director of the Photographic Imaging College at Hawthorn.
Have you ever said, “I would love to paint or draw, but I don't have a creative bone in my body”. Let Gay prove you wrong and discover the artist within!
+ Shivangi Sharma - Yoga Teacher
I am a qualified yoga teacher with advance training in traditional Ashtanga & Hatha yoga.
I am experienced and passionate about practicing and teaching traditional Yoga. I strive to create a safe and inclusive space for students of all levels to explore and deepen their practice. Inspired by my personal experiences, I wish to impart the practice and spread the benefits and power of Yoga so that everyone can enhance their health & wellbeing. I am excited to guide you on your yoga journey and support you in achieving your wellness goals.
+ Diane Beddison – Landscape Gardener & Designer
Diane Beddison is a local landscape designer. Her business is Beddison Garden Designs located in Canterbury. She studied garden and landscape design at the University of Melbourne (Burnley Campus) after years as a passionate home gardener. She also has formal qualifications and experience in Science and Mathematics, Education, and Information Technology.
Diane’s particular talent is delivering creative solutions for challenging areas of the garden. She combines formal and informal elements to suit the specific environment and reflect her client’s lifestyle and aspirations. Diane loves working with a diverse range of plants, using unusual varieties or combinations to create unique garden designs. She assists her clients to build their dream gardens that are unique and enduring.
Website: www.beddisongardendesigns.com
+ Martine Bourbon - Italian Tutor
From a young age, I have been fascinated by the art, architecture and culture of France and Italy. I encountered the Italian language at university and enjoyed it so much, I have continued to study and teach it ever since. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for everything Italian with the aim of encouraging and stimulating students in the process of learning, in a relaxed and fun way (and with all-important homework!).
+ Stephen Paull - IT Tutor
I am semi-retired after working all my life in the IT industry. I worked overseas for four years and then returned to Melbourne where I was an analyst/project manager for 16 years and then joined Victoria University as a Senior Lecturer. After retiring from there I have been employed as a casual IT lecturer/tutor at Monash and Deakin Universities. My wife is Polish and we have two children, two grandchildren and one Labrador. My hobbies are travel, photography and drones.
+ Barbara Niglio – Sewing and Craft Tutor
Barbara has been a maker from a young age and remembers the yearning to create much like a physical itch that had to be scratched. A love of fashion developed and studies, work and eventually teaching in this area highlighted the wastefulness of the industry. This led to working with recycled materials and the making of all kinds of wearable art. Tradition crafts and construction methods are often used but Barbara enjoys investigating new techniques too. Materials used include paper, plastics bottles, coffee pods, coffee bags, can tabs, inner-tubes, e-waste and many more. Barbara teaches sewing, dressmaking and many of the recycle techniques she has developed. Apart from just teaching someone the skills, she loves to see the positive effect on a person of time spent in creative play.
CHILDCARE EDUCATORS
+ Melissa Burrowes – Childcare Coordinator
I’ve worked with children for over 25 years. I live with my husband Ian and two children Ella and Zoe who are late primary school age. I first discovered Bowen Street Community Centre when I sent my own children here. Ali and Yuko cared for them all those years back. I then went on to join the committee of management for several years. I resigned but still volunteer and do the social media and photography. I have my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Development. A few years later I did further study to achieve a graduate certificate in Social Science - Post and Pre-natal family support through Swinburne University and a specialised course in parental education and leadership. I love working with children. I appreciate their imagination, humour and wonder of the world around us. My own interests are art and photography which I can incorporate into my work, so I feel very lucky to work here at Bowen Street Community Centre.
+ Sonya Goodrick
I have worked in early childhood for about 25 years minus the time I stayed at home with my children. I studied at Melbourne University School of Early Childhood for 3 years to achieve my degree. I love working in the industry and in my leisure, love relaxing at the beach.
+ Caroline Harris
Before joining Bowen Street, I worked as an educator for 4 years at Hawthorn Community House Occasional Care. I have a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care. In May 2021, I joined Bowen Street Childcare as a casual relief educator and work in the 3 and 5-hour sessional programs. I love interacting with all the children and am inspired by watching them develop and grow in confidence. I enjoy yoga, walking, gardening, and catching up with family and friends.
+ Hazel Lu
I’m from Shanghai, China and I’ve worked in Childcare and kinder in Boroondara for 15 years. Apart from loving working with children, I enjoy cooking, walking and entertaining. I’m married with two children, and we have a cute Moodle.
+ Tracey Peduto
This is my fifth year at BSCC. I have been working in occasional care for the past 27 years and love working in this industry. I have two adult sons and two granddaughters.
+ Anne Kearney - Childcare Education
My name is Anne. I have been in Childcare for 30 years, working in occasional care settings and family support agencies. This is my first year at Bowen Street. I have a Diploma in Childhood Education from Melbourne University. I have 3 adult children, two daughters and a son. I am passionate in supporting preschool children and their families. As a parent I remember how important occasional care was for in raising our young family. I love supporting children’s sense of belonging, learning and identity. My passions included music, gardening and fitness.
+ Sarah Pinto - Childcare
I love working with children. They have taught me the beauty of being present in the moment and finding joy in the simplest of interactions.
As I strive to impart knowledge, the children in turn, teach me valuable lessons about patience, creativity and the art of seeing the world through their eyes.
This is just the beginning of my journey and I look forward to many more beautiful memories with the children.
+ Carla Sharp - Relief Education
Trivia questions: What do you do after your youngest of five children goes to school? Answer: Volunteer in a childcare centre. In 2000 I began as a volunteer and over the years completed the Diploma of Childcare, Advanced Diploma of Childcare and graduated with a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) in 2015. I am passionate about the importance of early childhood education and, together with all the staff at BSCC, I am committed to creating a warm, inclusive, engaging environment for your children as they take their first steps on an exciting journey of education.
+ Ally McIntosh - Education
Hi. My name is Ally and I have worked in the field of Early Childhood for nearly thirty years as well as bringing up two children of my own. I have worked with all age groups under many settings. Even after all that time, I am still in awe of being part of the children’s development and love of learning. I thank you for that privilege.
+ Gessica Bergman - Childcare Volunteer
Hi my name is Gessica and I have been with Bowen Street as a volunteer for nearly 3 years. Prior to this I was a primary school teacher, teaching Italian, Sport, Music, working in Special Education and doing lots of other fun things.
When I’m not at Bowen Street, I enjoy cooking, going for walks with my husband, catching up with family and friends and reading a good book. I’m kept busy looking after my 3 children aged 17, 14, and 12.
I enjoy volunteering at Bowen Street and working with the wonderful staff and spending time with the children.
+ Anita Simmons
My name is Anita and I am a mum of 3 energetic kids - Edward 9, Mia 7 and Harrison 3. I have a Diploma in early childhood education and development and have been working in the industry for over 20 years. Generally, this has included working in childcare and long-term nanny roles. I love working with children, their endless creativity and inquisitive nature always astounds me. I was first introduced into the Bowen Street Community Centre through my good friend and co-worker Melissa. I am a very energetic person who loves the great outdoors. Cycling, skiing, bushwalking, cooking, and baking are just some of my passions. Bowen Street is such a lovely place with very family-oriented staff. It’s just one big happy family.
+ Ally Young - Education
I’m Ally and I have been working at Bowen Street for over 15 years. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work in such a loving and caring environment. Seeing the children grow and creating new memories with them puts a smile on my face and makes me excited to come to work at Bowen Street.