we're so proud of our team who make Country Buddies yarrawonga awesome. Meet some of our amazing staff members below.
Team Leader
Lisa is a team leader, she loves children and being able to extend on their knowledge whilst making them comfortable in the environment we have created for them.
Room Assistant
Jemma is a room assistant who enjoys each day she is able to spend with the children. She is very creative and uses this passion through the experiences and environments she sets up for the children.
Senior Educator
Kerri is a senior educator who is very passionate about helping children with special needs. She is very affectionate and loving towards all of the children in her care and loves nothing more than big, warm hugs.
Kate loves seeing the children in her care happy and engaged during play. She is a team leader who values the importance of strong bonds between families and each child.
Team Member
Alysia is the leader of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). She is heavily involved in creating our RAP and has a passion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and embedding this into our centre. Alysia loves being a part of the Buddie family and loves the special relationships she gets to form with families and children.
Riki is a Diploma qualified room assistant who brings lots of fun and laughter to the environment. She loves working in a family owned, play based learning centre. Riki is passionate about encouraging the children to reach their full potential and realise they can do it.
Julz is a team leader who loves caring for the children as each day brings something new. She develops an environment for the babies to feel nurtured and loved, as well as being able to explore and develop new skills. Julz loves the family friendly atmosphere and environment that Country Buddies creates.
Tania is a room assistant who is able to brighten up anyone’s day with her smile and chirpy personality. She enjoys forming positive relationships with children and their families. Tania likes to reassure families that their child is learning, playing and being loved whilst they are at work.
Olivia believes that her job as an educator is one of the best and most rewarding jobs there is! She loves coming to work each day and watching her little friends faces light up as she enters the room. Olivia feels honoured to be a part of their little worlds and loves watching as they learn and grow.
Assistant Educator
Di is an assistant educator who works in all rooms across the service. She loves being with children each day and is continually amazed at how they each learn and grow. Di love being a member of the Country Buddies family
Mel is an assistant educator who works with all age groups. She brings a calm and positive energy to each room. Mel enjoys being able to spend time with all of the children and feels most rewarded when they run up and give her big hugs.
Shirona is an assistant educator and occasionally the centre cook. The best part of her job is spending everyday assisting the children to learn and develop new skills and watch them grow. Shirona’s favourite thing about Buddies is the bonds she forms with the amazing little and big people.
Brooke loves setting up learning experiences for the children and is excited about the direction the centre is heading in with safe risk taking and natural environments.
Centre Director
Danni is the centre Director and is proud of the welcoming and family friendly environment we have all created.
It is very important to Jodie that all children and educators are treated the same and children are allowed to grow and develop at their own pace. Jodie loves the passion all educators have for children and that the children always come first.
Assistant Director
Jane is the Assistant Director and a senior team leader. She loves seeing the children develop from babies into little children and going off to school knowing that she has played a part in their development. Jane loves forming bonds with the children and strong relationships with their families. The Country Buddies team are one big family which makes it an amazing place to work in.
Shan is a team leader who is very knowledgeable, especially in the area of the educational program. She shares her knowledge with others and is a strong believer of team work.
Kindergarten Teacher
Claire is one of our four year bachelor trained kindergarten teachers and educational leader. Claire loves the fun, play-based environment that is created within Country Buddies and also has a passion for connecting with our wider community.
Sean is a 4 year Bachelor trained Early Childhood Teacher. He loves extending on children’s interests and sharing a passion for learning. Sean’s favourite thing about Buddies is his daily interactions with the children and getting to be part of their world.