LITTLE Locals preschools were presented with an award for excellence after being handpicked as the best in Queensland from more than 300 schools.
The Preschool of the Year Awards for Best Early Learning Centre was presented to the Ripley school by Swaggie Kids program director Kevin O’Donoghue and wife Joanne.
Swaggie Kids selects schools on performance in educational programs, child health and safety, the physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, and governance and leadership.
“All 19 Little Locals schools have won this award because of their excellence. The award is richly deserved,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
Dubbed “The Last Swaggie Man”, Mr O’Donoghue takes his music workshops across Queensland, educating on Australian folklore and cultural heritage.
He aims to bring the spirit of the bush to the next generation with interactive music shows.
“I like to keep the tradition of the bush, and the culture of the 1800s alive,” he said.
He said his goal is to “teach children our history”.
“I show them how to make bush instruments and we play a lot of things connected to Australia,” he said.
“Some of the songs I use are over 150 years old, but some of the modern ones I do are Home Amongst the Gumtrees or others about the Australian landscape.
“I also make the same instruments they had in the 1800s; shakers, washboards, and lagerphones.”
