Meet the team

Galia Urquhart

I have worked in Education and Early Childhood for over 30 years. I have valued each role I have been privileged to have throughout the time in my career and have been the Director at Yarm Gwanga for more than 20 years.

My passion is building strong connections and partnerships with children, families and our community.

These relationships are the building blocks to open communication and trust. I completed my Bachelor of Education (Primary) at UNE, Graduate Diploma Early Childhood at QUT and recently a Masters of Education (Research) at UNE and enjoy undertaking regular professional development opportunities.

I offer you a very warm welcome to our website and I hope that the information you find here offers you a clear insight into our philosophy, vision and practices at Yarm Gwanga. Our professional team and Management and the Advisory Group aim to offer you and your family high-quality early childhood education and care within a stimulating, creative, inclusive play-based learning environment. Our highly dedicated and talented team will provide a caring, nurturing and creatively stimulating environment that will enhance your child’s learning and development as they interact with their peers and educators throughout the day. We promote discovery/play-based learning opportunities within an environment that encourages engagement, exploration, imagination, problem-solving, resilience, empathy, and a sense of wonder and respect for the environment and community.

We actively promote an open door policy at Yarm Gwanga and encourage families and siblings to come and join us at any time.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and please feel free to drop in or call at any time. It would be a pleasure to show you around our centre and answer any questions you may have.

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, travelling and spending time with my family.

Joanne Stewart

I have been working at Yarm Gwanga since 2016, primarily in the kitchen preparing and serving nutritious and yummy meals for the children.  These meals meet nutritional guidelines, dietary requirements and children’s individual needs as well as listening to the children’s voices and incorporating daily feedback I receive through the serving windows, ‘what’s for lunch Jo’.

I assist in all rooms as required and enjoy helping educators, families and children to explore and enjoy not only healthy food education but all aspects of children’s development.

I completed my Cert III in 2014, and worked at Tiny Town prior to Yarm Gwanga and when my children attended Yarm Gwanga I was an active member of the Yarm Gwanga Advisory Group.

If I had a superpower it would be to know every language in the world…. I’m trying, starting with Swahili.

Kirsty Marshall

I have been actively working in the Early Childhood field for 7 years. I am married with four children and have lived in the Armidale area for 20 years. During this time I have attained a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care online via Oten completing work placements at local Early Childhood Services.

I have previously worked at Little Bear Childcare Cottage and Armidale Community Preschool before joining Yarm Gwanga in early 2020.  I offer a high-quality program that promotes each child’s strengths and interests through play-based learning.  I love ballet and going bushwalking with my husband and children.

Li Xia

I am a passionate Early Child Care educator, originally from China, bringing a wealth of experience to my role. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Yunnan University, I began my career as a primary school maths teacher in China before relocating to Armidale with my family in 2018.

Currently, I hold a Certificate III in Early Child Care from TAFE NSW. I find fulfilment in working closely with young children and joy in listening to their stories. I cherish their delightful faces, foster their smiles, as I reflect on my commitment to creating a positive and engaging environment.

I’m proud to help ensure equal opportunities for all children to participate in activities while cultivating a sense of belonging and maintaining a safe space for exploration and growth. As a proud mother of two girls, I draw inspiration from my family to contribute positively to the lives of other young people.

Kylie Browning

I am a Diploma Trained Educator completing my studies through the Open Learning Institute of TAFE QLD.

It is my role to be a facilitator of children’s learning and to assist children to learn through play and provide opportunities for children to explore, negotiate, take risks and create meaning about the world around them.

I was previously the director at Guyra ECC for 8 years, I then undertook casual work at a variety of centres while my daughter was young before joining the Yarm Gwanga community in 2010.

I am often referred to as the chippy monster, as I love my twisties.

Tiffany Martin

I am a mum of two small children and live on a sheep farm 10kms west of Guyra.

I gained my Cert III in Early Childhood Education & Care at Armidale TAFE and then began casual work at TG’s ECC.  I then gained a position as an Early Childhood Educator at Hobbit ECC from 2016-2018 before moving and joining the Yarm Gwanga team in 2018.

I love working with young children and love being greeted by their gorgeous little faces and developing meaningful and respectful relationships.  I enjoy spending time with my husband, children and my pug named Frank.

Abbey Lawlor

I am an early childhood educator at Yarm Gwanga having undertaken my Cert III via a traineeship at Tiny Town ECC through ECTARC.

I am currently studying my Diploma through Armidale TAFE and have been working at Yarm Gwanga since 2016.

My role at Yarm Gwanga mainly includes supporting children with additional needs, developing and nurturing respectful and meaningful relationships with all children is an area of my role that I am very passionate about.

Other than children, my passion is travel.

Joyce Jeyaruban

I completed my HSC in Sri Lanka and worked in a private primary school in Colombo Sri Lanka.  After my family migrated to Australia in 2005 I completed my certificate 3 and Diploma in Children’s Services at Armidale TAFE.

Travel has been a big part of my life and I have lived in Sri Lanka, Canada, Botswana and Australia.  This has given me the unique opportunity to meet with different people with a variety of cultures, backgrounds and goals.

I enjoy my role at Yarm Gwanga as it provides me with opportunities to spend time with all educators and children at the centre.

A fun fact about me is that I can spend countless hours organising things so that it looks just the way I want.

Humayara Begum

I have worked in the early childhood field since 2004, commencing when I was living in New Zealand and then continuing when I started work at Yarm Gwanga in 2009.

I am very passionate about the rights of the child and giving choices to children. Respecting and listening to children’s voices and needs by building meaningful and respectful relationships with them and their families.

Personally, I’m a happy mother of two boys and my husband is working as an academic at the University of New England.

I’m Bangladeshi born Australian citizen.  I completed my masters in literature in Bangladesh, my Cert III in New Zealand and a Diploma in Early Childhood at Armidale Tafe.

Living in many different countries has made me curious to learn about cultures and languages.  I love cooking, travelling, meeting new people and helping others.  My role as an early childhood educator is a very rewarding experience is very important to me especially forming special relationships with the children and their families.

Marg Powell

I have been lucky enough to be working in the childcare industry for 23 years! I began my career at Tiny Town Childcare Centre, caring for babies, toddlers and after completing my Diploma in Children’s Services, worked in the Preschool Room. After 15 years at this centre, I moved on to casual work for a couple of years, which opened my eyes and my world, experiencing some of the best Preschools and centres in Armidale. Ultimately, I was offered a job at Yarm Gwanga!

I am a mother of three adult children and also a Grandmother of two gorgeous girls! My husband and I have lived in Invergowrie for 40 years and are avid inventors and gardeners!

I am a staunch environmentalist and love the Aussie bush and preserving plants and animals. I strive to instil this in the children that I care for.

Simone Butler

My passion for working with children has seen me complete my Certificate in Enrolled Nursing/Mothercraft at Karitane Mothercraft Home, work with families with young children, both in a hospital setting and in private homes, and several years working in the NICU at The Royal Hospital for Women.

After having four children of my own I started working at Yarm Gwanga and obtained a Certificate 3 in Children’s services followed by a Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

I love spending time relaxing with my family and enjoying my new Granddaughter.

Cassie Prater

After completing my Cert 3 in early childhood I have been in the industry ever since.

I am passionate about nature play and all its benefits like the physical aspect of engaging in active play and muscle development, and the social benefits of creating an equal ground for inclusive play.

I love doing science experiments with 3-5 year old and cause and effect experiments thriving on the wonder in the children’s eyes.

After having done a few workshops on the loose part and environmental sustainability I am striving to embed the information to create environmentally aware citizens.

Yvette Barker

I have been working at Yarm Gwanga since 2004. I have had experience with all age groups at Yarm. I completed my Diploma in Children’s services in 2007. I am an avid gardener and enjoy educating children at Yarm, in all aspects of growing plants and sustainable practices. I am also passionate about music and love to sing with the children at any given opportunity!

I have three grown-up children who have now all moved to the coast.