Central Queensland Centres Shine at 2025 C&K Awards

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 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 Moranbah Community Kindergarten and Preschool was the winner of the MTA Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care and a finalist for the Winc Education Curious Mindset Award. The prestigious Mary Mahoney Award was presented to C&K Moranbah for their transformative practice, empowering children to advocate for the redesign of their outdoor play space and present their ideas directly to Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea, fostering joy not only in the children who were able to present their ideas but the children who will get to enjoy the play space in years to come.

Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the recognition of C&K Moranbah Community Kindergarten was a proud moment for the whole community.

“A huge congratulations to the amazing educators at C&K Moranbah for creating a space where children feel seen, heard and valued. This award is a credit to your passion, care and belief in the power of little voices...Their confidence and creativity are a reflection of the incredible support and encouragement they receive from their educators every day.” Mayor Vea Vea said, “When we listen to children and back the people who guide them, we build stronger communities. This win is something the whole of Moranbah can celebrate.”

Pictured above: (L-R) Emma-Jane Molan (MTA), Winners of the 2025 MTA Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care: C&K Moranbah Community Kindergarten Team: Ashleigh Brown (Educator), Stephanie Oliver (Educator), Madison Pease (Centre Director), and Tamara McMeeken (MTA).

C&K Slade Point Community Kindergarten in Mackay also shone at this year’s awards, with Natalie McDougall winning the Playful Pedagogy Award for her innovative use of a puppet named Edgar to support children’s emotional regulation, storytelling, and transition to school. Edgar has become a beloved member of the teaching team, helping to create a joyful, inclusive environment that fosters creativity and connection. The Slade Point Community Kindergarten team was also named a finalist for the Department of Education Inspiring Impact award for their Breakfast Club initiative. The program addressed a critical need in their community, improving children’s outcomes and is now supported by a local partnership with Woolworths Andergrove.

Pictured above: Winc Education Playful Pedagogy Award Winner: Richard Mourant (Winc Education Representative) with Natalie McDougall (Centre Director, C&K Slade Point Community Kindergarten)

C&K The Range Community Kindergarten in Rockhampton was named a finalist for the Winc Education Curious Mindset Award for their work in strengthening children’s media literacy through a range of age-appropriate activities, recognising media as a modern form of storytelling that connects children to community, culture, and self.

“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