Our People
Our staff will always have time to talk with you about your child’s day and will work with parents to tailor care and programs for each child.
Educators
Gordana
Gordana is currently an educator in Wimble’s middle multi-aging room. She started at Wimble Street in 2013 on a casual basis and we have been lucky she has stayed with us. Gordana has a Certificate 3 and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. One of Gordana’s favourite activities with the children is reading to them and having conversations.
Gordana says, ‘I love the fact that Wimble genuinely cares about the children and families who use our services and staff are true to their values. Also, there is always something to laugh about every day with our kids.’
Our parents say, ‘Gordana is a much-loved educator at Wimble. It is often her kind words and loving care that soothes a difficult drop-off.’
Stephanie
Stephanie is currently an educator in Wimble’s front, multi-aging room. She started at Wimble Street as a casual in late 2012 and we made her permanent shortly after that. Stef holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Learning. Stephanie is always a warm and welcoming pression to engage each child is very clear.
Stef says, ‘The thing I value most about working at Wimble is the opportunity to form secure bonds with each child so they feel safe and supported. It is a pleasure to set up inviting experiences for each child based on their interests and to observe and document conversations between the children and educators.’
Our parents say, ‘Stef is a wonderful educator. She is often the one who will call to let you know that your child has settled down and is now playing happily. Stef is a natural with children.’
Lisa
Lisa is currently our Wimble Street Coordinator. In addition to her management role she also often relieves other staff in an educator role with the children. Lisa started work at Wimble Street in 1993 and was made permanent in 1995. In her extended tenure at Wimble Street she has worked across all the rooms. Lisa holds a Diploma in Children’s Services and is an expert on Wimble Street!
Lisa says, ‘The best thing about Wimble is the opportunity to see children come to the Centre and over time grow into confident people. Everyone contributes to the great atmosphere at Wimble Street – the educators, families and, of course, the children.’
Our parents say, ‘Lisa is a caring educator who holds Wimble together. She is the person who cares for everyone at Wimble, including our educators.’
Shishana
I started my journey at Wimble in 2017 as a student and instantly felt a sense of belonging. After being offered a casual position, I was thrilled to continue doing what I love, and soon after, I stepped into a full-time role. I’ve also had the joy of supporting the educational leader role, which has helped me grow in so many ways.
Wimble has always felt like my second home — a place filled with warmth, encouragement, and a beautiful community spirit. One of the most special parts of my job is forming strong, loving connections with the children. Their laughter, wonder, and the way they light up when they see you makes every day meaningful. It’s a true privilege to walk alongside them as they grow into confident, resilient little beings.
Rebecca
Rebecca is currently an educator in Wimble front multi-aging room. She started at Wimble in 2013 as a casual. Bec holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and a Certificate 3 in commercial cooking. Bec is a calm presence at Wimble and gently guides children in safe, thoughtful and creative play.
Bec says, ‘The best thing about working at Wimble Street is our great kids and the sense of community that comes with being a small centre.’
The parents say, ‘Bec was an absolute star in Wimble’s time of crisis in 2018. When an old exhaust fan fault caused a fire in the ceiling cavity, Bec calmly shepherded the children from the Centre. Everyone was removed safely and efficiently, just like they had practised during drills and the children will only remember it as the exciting time when fire fighters came to Wimble Street!’
Charissa
Charissa is one the kinder teachers at Wimble. She started in 2020 to cover a maternity leave position and was excited to continue as a permanent part-time teacher. She holds a Master of Teaching (Early Years) and her favourite activities with the children are singing, dancing and laughing. She loves the the bush kinder program at Wimble and firmly believes in the mantra “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes”.
Charissa says, ”I love the tight knit community at Wimble and the level of engagement and collaboration we have with families. There is nothing better than working at a centre where you know everyone has got your back.”
Joey
Joey started at Wimble in 2019 as a student while she was studying her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
After finishing her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5 years) at Australian Catholic University in 2023, Joey is now a teacher in the Kinder room.
Joey says, "Working at Wimble, the staff are very supportive and friendly, cultivating a comfortable environment that feels like a second home to me. I truly enjoy bonding with the children through activities like singing and dancing, as it helps to establish strong connections and a sense of belonging for them"
Michelle
Michelle is currently an educator in Wimble’s middle room and assisting the bush kinder program. She first worked at Wimble in 2011 and holds a Certificate 3 in early childhood.
Michelle says, ‘the best part of working at Wimble is the children. We build great works of art out of recycled materials. I also appreciate that the Centre is not run for profit and is in a beautiful part of Melbourne.’
Our parents say, ‘Michelle is loved by Wimble children. She is great fun. She loves to kick the footy with the children, makes up songs and is great at joining in make-believe games.’
Board of Directors
Wimble Street is managed by parents who volunteer and are elected by our Co-Op members into Director roles. Directors generally meet on a monthly basis. All parents can attend committee meetings and it is expected that parents will attend the Annual General Meeting and the one additional General Meeting each year.
Directors each convene a sub-committee where it is hoped that parents can contribute according to their unique skill sets. Most Directors serve for a two year term and we encourage parents to share roles to lighten the load. Where Co-Directors commence in alternate years this can also help to maintain organisational momentum and memory.
Chair
Craig McLean
After living in Amsterdam for ten years, Craig returned to Australia with his partner and now leads the urban design team at the City of Port Phillip.
Craig has an adventurous daughter who speaks Dutch at home, and who loves attending Wimble St and playing with the educators and her friends.
The Chair’s role is to run the meetings, contribute to developing strategic directions and policy and is a signatory to banking and official documents. The chair is also the Approved Provider who has primary legal responsibility to ensure good governance and management of the service.
Finance Director
Nick Symons
Nick lives with his wife, daughter and labrador in Brunswick. His hobbies include golf, gaming, and travel.
As finance director, Nick’s job is to work with the board and management to ensure the financial sustainability of the centre and keep the books balanced.
Nick works as an engineer providing government and private clients with investment advice related to energy infrastructure.
Fundraising Director
Phoebe Venables
Phoebe is a veterinarian currently working locally in North Melbourne having bounced around a couple of clinics in Melbourne over the past decade.
She and her partner Ewan have one child in kindergarten having started in the multi-age room at the start of 2021, and one eagerly waiting in the wings. Her favourite thing about Wimble Street is how it feels like a big, oversized cubby house with the children really able to make it feel like their own (under the gentle, experienced supervision of the many long-term Wimble educators, of course!)
Maintenance Director
Lee Parker
Lee is Violet’s dad and lives with his wife Cass in Parkville. He is a former Wimble St kid himself, attending kinder in the early-’90s.
As maintenance director, Lee’s role is to liaise with the Wimble St coordinator on maintenance issues around the centre, determining repairs, improvements and additions, and organising contracted work. Other jobs include applying for school building grants and running the working and cleaning bees.
Lee works as a music teacher at a school in Coburg and bookseller in Albert Park. He supports the Melbourne Football Club, though sadly, Violet (born in 2021, of all years) does not. Carlton.
Communications
Director
Lisa Robin
Lisa is an occupational therapist and lecturer who lives with her partner and children in North Melbourne.
She has a daughter in the kinder room and has been a Wimble parent since 2021.
She is the communications director and is looking for a back up for this role to join her in 2027.
She comes from a long line of die hard Demon supporters and other more fruitful hobbies include gardening, visiting markets and travelling to new places!
In addition to the Director roles, the Wimble Committee is also composed of Catherine Charles who provides accounting and financial advice and IT support by Stuart Lethbridge.