October 2002

Award recognises work with preschoolers

Preschool teacher Felicia Conroy has received the Save the Children White Flame humanitarian award for her work at the multicultural South Melbourne Mission Free Kindergarten, where she has been director since 1978.

The White Flame Award is presented annually by the Save the Children charity, in recognition of the contribution made by a citizen of Victoria in serving the needs and rights of children.

Ms Conroy received the award from Minister for Health John Thwaites at a special ceremony held at the kindergarten.

Ms Conroy is a local identity, having battled to save the kindergarten from closure on numerous occasions—the kindergarten was relocated to the base of the Park Towers Office of Housing estate after vandals burned down its previous premises in 1986.

Ms Conroy cares for children of more than 20 nationalities.

Of her current class of 31 children, 19 speak English as a second language.

Many are refugees, migrants and from families facing different challenges and needs.

Much of Ms Conroy’s time is spent doing family support work, providing parents with guidance and practical assistance.

She regularly provides basic food and supplies for those in need.

Ms Conroy and her staff work to create a stable environment for the children, ensuring that they receive nutritious meals throughout the day and keeping check on basic health and welfare issues.

She relies upon the assistance of volunteers, some of whom are referred through Ardoch Youth Services.

Ms Conroy completed her teaching qualifications as a mature age student and single mother in the mid 1970s.

Before that, she was a nurse and spent time hosting the Women’s Program on Radio Fiji.

Former White Flame recipients include Justice John Fogerty, Les Twentyman, Dr Ruth Bishop and Governor-General Peter Hollingworth.

Save the Children provides financial support for the South Melbourne Mission Free Kindergarten.

The charity has recently agreed to fund a nutritionist to devise a healthy eating plan for the children.

Since 1943, Save the Children has been conducting numerous programs throughout Victoria to give disadvantaged children access to basic education, health and nutrition.