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C&K is proud to announce the winners and finalists of our 2025 Awards, recognising the outstanding educators, teams, and centres who bring high-quality early childhood education and care to life across Queensland every day.
The winners were announced at the 2025 C&K Gala Awards Night, held on Friday, 25 July at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane. Presented by Modern Teaching Aids, the Awards Night was a highlight of the 2025 C&K Conference. Proudly supported by Winc Education, the conference brought together over 765 early childhood professionals, researchers, and sector leaders over the two days to reflect on this year’s theme: Joy.
This year’s award recipients and finalists embody the spirit of Joy, bringing it to life in their practice, their relationships with children and families, and their commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive learning communities.
C&K Kirwan Community Kindergarten won the HESTA Reconciliation in Action Award for their deep and ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Their practice is grounded in trust, respect, and shared responsibility, built through sustained collaboration with families and Elders. From embedding culture in everyday experiences to creating a welcoming, culturally safe environment, C&K Kirwan exemplifies reconciliation in action through relationships that uplift and empower bringing joy to the centre and wider community.
Pictured above: 2025 HESTA Reconciliation in Action Award Winners: Danielle Davies (Assistant Educator and Kylie Krawczyk (Centre Director/Teacher) (C&K Kirwan Community Kindergarten) with HESTA representative Rob Paul.
Kate Hinschen, Centre Director and Teacher of C&K Ingham Community Kindergarten was personally selected by C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman as the recipient of the C&K CEO Award. This award recognises Kate, for her exceptional leadership during record rainfall and flooding in February 2025. When floods cut off power and isolated the centre, Kate’s calm, decisive actions ensured the safety of children and staff. Thanks to Kate’s leadership, Ingham’s community and spirit remain strong and supported as the children have settled into their temporary place while their centre is being rebuilt.
Pictured above: C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman with C&K CEO Award Winner, Kate Hinschen (Centre Director/Teacher of C&K Ingham Community Kindergarten)
Finalists from the region included:
Both centres were recognised for their joyful, inclusive practices. Atherton for sparking creativity through playful pedagogy, and Yungaburra for embedding First Nations perspectives in meaningful ways.
“At C&K, we know that high-quality early childhood education and care doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a deliberate choice and a deeply relational practice,” said C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman. “These awards are about recognising the educators, teams and services who make that choice every day and go further – to listen, to lead, to partner with families and communities, and to ensure every child feels safe, seen, and supported to flourish.”
2025 C&K Award Winners
Department of Education Inspiring Impact Award – Lynette Harding, C&K Coomera Community Kindergarten
Winc Education Curious Mindset Award – Rebecca Walsh, Bayview Kindergarten
Winc Education Playful Pedagogy Award – Natalie McDougall, C&K Slade Point Community Kindergarten
HESTA Reconciliation in Action Award – C&K Kirwan Community Kindergarten
C&K CEO Award – Kate Hinschen, C&K Ingham Community Kindergarten
MTA Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care – C&K Moranbah Community Kindergarten
Pictured above: 2025 C&K Award Winners: Lynette Harding, Madison Pease, Stephanie Oliver, Ashleigh Brown, Rebecca Walsh, C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman, Kylie Krawczyk, Danielle Davies, Kate Hinschen & Natalie McDougall.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@candk.asn.au
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