The Team

meet some of our amazing staff members who make every day
at Country buddies wahgunyah a joy to be part of.

Michelle Thomas

Director and Nominated Supervisor

Michelle is one of the first people you will meet when you come into the centre. She is the compassionate and loyal Director at our centre. Michelle is positively involved with our families and has great relationships with both staff and children. Michelle is able to help you with any questions you have regarding your account, extra bookings and enquiring about enrolling you child into CBW. She has been a part of Country Buddies family for 10 years and has worked at Country Buddies Yarrawonga before taking the role of Director in Wahgunyah. Michelle is a member of the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and committee. Michelle has a Diploma of Children’s Services.

Belinda (Belle) Kuschert

2IC & KInder Room Leader

Belle is 2IC at CBW and along with Michelle is the one of the first people you will meet when you come into the centre. Belle is able to help you with any questions you have regarding your account, extra bookings and enquiring about enrolling you child into CBW. Belle holds a Diploma of Children’s Services but is currently in her fourth year of studying a Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years) with Charles Sturt University. Belle is a Room leader, the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) Officer and a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander committee. Belle has been a part CBW family for 7 years.

Sharon Hickey

3IC, Educational Leader & Astro Room Leader

Sharon is 3IC at CBW aswell as a room Leader. Sharon has a Diploma of Children’s Services. The children love Sharon's sense of humor and her bubbly personality. She is the Educational Leader and help supports the Educators with up-to-date information on the program in the rooms. Sharon looks after the students that come to CBW for placement. Sharon is also a member of the QIP/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait committee and has been a part of the CBW family for 2 years

Annette Magill

3IC & Cook

Annette is 3IC at CBW and is now in the kitchen, cooking amazing meals for the children. Annette has a Diploma of Children’s Services. She is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer. Annette helps the centre and the Educators to incorporate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within the centre and is a member of the QIP committee. Annette is also the Emergency Management, First Aid Officer and can been seen in the Kitchen. Annette has been a part of the CBW family for 9 years and has been at this centre for 12 years.

Ellen Bartlett

Early Childhood Teacher

Ellen is the Kinder Teacher and holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies). Ellen has a special gift with children, she adapts to each childrens individual needs and always has a positive attitude. She has outstanding work ethic and takes the time to create a positive learning environment. Ellen is also a member of the QIP/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait committee and has been a part of CBW family since the beginning of the year.

Sarah Clohessy

Jungle Room Leader

Sarah is a Room leader and holds a Diploma of Children’s Services. She is starting University in March 2019 to study her Bachelor in Early Childhood and Primary Education. She has great generosity and priotizes happiness and well-being of others. She is always open to giving up her time and always shares her positive energy with the children. Sarah is also the Environmental officer and Work Health and Safety officer. She makes sure that all the environments are safe and maintained. Sarah is also member of the QIP/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait committee.gratitude Sarah has been a part of the CBW family for 4 years

Erin McGregor

Jungle Room Educator

Erin holds a Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care and currently studying her Diploma in Children Services. Erin loves working in childcare she says that " I love to see the children of all ages learn and grow, then go home at the end of day knowing that I have helped children to achieve their developmental milestones and learning goals!" Erin creates special bonds with the children and has great relationships with their families.

Ellen Hynes

Ocean Room Leader

Ellen is a Room leader and is currently studying her a Diploma of Children’s Services. Ellen attended the centre as a child when it was Happy Days and it’s great to have her back. Ellen has a big heart, she is very bubbly and welcoming. The children love Ell because she is always smiling and laughing, we appreciate her humor. "I love being part of our extremely hard-working, supportive, close-knit and cohesive team. Our programs are child lead and play based which allows the learning environment to be flexible, spontaneous and ever-changing. The relationships we form with families and Children ensure the transition from Home to Buddies is a happy one."

Tia Augustyn

Ocean Room Educator

Tia is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. She is a super organiser and has a big heart. The children love Tia's big smile and her enthusiasm. Tia has been part of the CBW family for a Year. "I love how my job helps children learn and experience new things while having fun at the same time. Seeing the children smile and laugh it makes me melt inside. Country buddies has taught me so many new things that I never knew about children. I like the way we help children learn and experience new things without them knowing."

Corinne Howard

Nater Room Leader

Corinne is a Room leader and holds a Certificate III Childhood Education and Care and her Diploma of Children’s Services. She is a really enthusiastic employee who creates a positive environment. Her positive attitude is something that is most valued by the children and their families. Corinne can also be seen in the kitchen when Annette are away. Corinne has been a part of the CBW family for 3 years

Kara Widdison

Nature Room Educator

Kara is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. Kara has been part of the CBW family for a 1.5 years. She is our book club officer. "I love what I do here at CBW because I get to help the children learn, I get to watch them grow and develop as well as be a part of it. I enjoy working as country buddies as it’s always a happy, safe environment and everyone is willing to work as a team and are always helping out each other."

Samara Robinson

Nature Room Educator

Samara holds a Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. Samara is a positive and inspiring educator. She builds a program that is play-based and provides children with opportunities to discover, learn and grow.

Kate Bunt

Astro Room Educator

Kate holds a Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care, she is also the Birthday officer and a member of the QIP/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait committee. She has a heart of gold, the children love Kate's humble nature. Kate has a great bond with our children and their families by building relationships that consist of trust, honetsy and integrity. Kate has been part of the CBW family for 10 years.

Leanda Reeves

Astro Room Educator

Leanda holds a Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. She has a big heart and the children love her creative abilities. Leanda is very optimstic, always looking through a positive lense. She has been part of the CBW family for 10 months. "I enjoy working at country buddies because we have support from all the amazing staff and director. I enjoy working close to home and knowing families from the area. I enjoy working with children because I love coming to work and being greeted by big happy cute smiling faces. It’s a great feeling knowing you helped mold young minds and seeing them grow up before your eyes."

Sinitta Macartney

Astro Room Educator

Sinitta holds a Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. Sinitta is a very passionate educator, always realible and caring. You may see Sinitta in the kitchen when Annette is away. Sinitta has been part of the CBW family for 1.5 years. "I like coming to work as an early childhood educator, as I enjoy watching the children grow, learn and seeing the children smile every day. Working as a part of a great team of ladies where we can work together as one team."

Kate Graham

Kinder Room Educator

Kate is a room leader and holds a Diploma of Children’s Services. Kate is also member of the QIP/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait committee. She has been a part of the CBW family for 7 years. "I’m passionate about early childhood, I enjoy working with children teaching them, watching them grow and develop, following their interests. I’ve been at buddies for 7 years and I like the community feel of the center, very welcoming which helps with relationships with children and their families."

Kate Searby

Kinder RoomEducator

Kate holds a Diploma is Children Services. Kate has been part of the CBW family for 2 years. She is a great team player and always realible. The children love Kate and her positive personality.

Cassie Mason

Educator

Cassie is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. She has a great work ethic and the children connect to her gentle nature. Cassie has been part of the CBW family for 4 months.

Chelsea Ferwerda

Educator

Chelsea is currently studying her DipIoma in Childhood Education and Care. She has the ability to connect to children of all ages.

Chloe Thomas

Educator

Chloe is currently studying her Bachelor of Educational Studies (Early Years – Secondary School). She has positive relationships with the children and always bringing her happy spirit to Country Buddies. Chloe has been part of the CBW family for 3 years. "I love being part of this amazing team, being able to share my learning activities from University and putting them in place".

Lyn Oliver

Educator

Lyn holds a Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. Lyn is always ego to wor. " I enjoy watching the children learn and grow as they discover different things"

Kerryn (Kez) Munro

Educator

Kez holds a Diploma in Children’s Services and helps the Room leader to provide a program that play-based and provides children with opportunity to discover, learn and grow. Kez has been part of the CBW family for a 12 years.

Mel Holt

Educator

Mel is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. Mel has been part of the CBW family for a few months. "I love what I do because I get to help the children develop their milestones and watch them learn new things. I love making and connecting with other children and making them feel safe while their parents are at work. I like working Country Buddies because all the staff show that they love what they do and make families and new staff feel welcome."

Tessa Morris

Educator

Tessa is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. She is flexible and willing to learn for her studies.

Abby Rippingale

Educator

Abby is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care. She has a positive attitude that is infectious. The children love Abby and "I love Country Buddies because it allows me to work and still get to pop in and see my son throughout the day. I love working with children because I enjoy interacting with children and watching them learn new things".

Casey Williams

Educator

Casey is currently studying her Certificate III in Childhood Education. Casey has great initiative, she has developed strong and secure relationships with the children. "I love this job because I’ve always wanted to help the children learn and develop life skills at a young age. I love buddies because all the women here were so welcoming and wanting to help me with my studies".

Marissa Thomas

Educator

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