fka Children’s Services (fkaCS) advocates for children’s cultural and linguistic rights and provides support to education and care services in the provision of culturally rich environments that support a civil society.
Our vision is for all children to actively participate in quality education and care services that recognise, value and celebrate diversity.
fkaCS began as the Free Kindergarten Union (FKU) in 1908. The FKU was at the forefront of the early childhood education movement and had a major role in instigating many significant early childhood initiatives including the establishment of the first Kindergarten Teachers College (now part of Melbourne University), the formation of a national association for early childhood (which evolved to Early Childhood Australia) and were the original trustees for the Lady Gowrie Centre in Victoria in the late 1930s.
Today, in its 110th year, fkaCS continues to advocate for children’s cultural and linguistic rights and provides professional development and support to education and care services in the provision of culturally rich environments that reflect a civil society. The fkaCS board comprises early childhood teachers, academics, benevolent and welfare societies and multicultural advocates.
Board of Management
The Honourable Linda Dessau Governor of Victoria, Patron
Denise Rundle, President
Kirsten Slifirski, Vice President
Karla Chatfield, Secretary and Honorary Treasurer
Bruna Pasqua, Board Member
Professor Mindy Blaise, Board Member
Paula Wood, Board Member
Carolina Cabezas, Board Member
Life Members
Dr P. Clarke
Mr L. Cox
Mr J. Emerson
Mrs G. Johnson
Mrs G. Kelso
Mr G Kelso
Dr A. Kennedy
Mrs P. Montgomery
Miss H. Moorhead
Mr I. Renard
Mr E. Rush
Ms. Rosemary Waite
Friends of fka Children’s Services
Mrs Gillian Beddington
Mrs Judith Cutler
Mrs June Danks
Mrs Esma Kelso
Ms Marion Lang
Ms Shirley Lancaster
Ms Gwenda Martin
Mrs Joan Waters
Mrs Kay Withell
And other Friends of fka Children’s Services who wish to remain anonymous.