Barb Gould has fond memories of fingerpainting and warm milk when she went to Albury Preschool almost seven decades ago.
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![HAPPY DAYS: Barb Gould, who has fond memories of her early days at Albury Preschool, will celebrate the centre's 70th anniversary in Albury. Activities are planned in Alma Street on October 26, 27 and 30. Picture: MARK JESSER HAPPY DAYS: Barb Gould, who has fond memories of her early days at Albury Preschool, will celebrate the centre's 70th anniversary in Albury. Activities are planned in Alma Street on October 26, 27 and 30. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9jp2tjuwKpcNcyMwTq82JY/65483c28-0663-4158-953e-d894c5fa5d97.jpg/r313_0_4215_3234_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
“I remember we did lots of fingerpainting – which I loved – because I was never allowed to do it at home,” Mrs Gould said.
“I’d never done it before preschool and I’ve never done it since, so I loved it!”
The Albury grandmother attended the Kiewa Street preschool behind the CWA Hall for 12 months before she started kindergarten at Albury Public School.
“The preschool had warm milk in the winter; some kids had Milo in it but I didn’t like the taste so I just had the warm milk.
“In summer they had cordial – probably all the things you’re not meant to have now!
“There was a fruit break and sometimes they provided cake too.”
Mrs Gould, who couldn’t recall the names of the teachers from her time at the preschool 66 years ago, said she well remembered a “swimming pool” on the site.
“There was a swimming pool about a foot deep in summer; I remember having great fun splashing around in it,” she said.
Mrs Gould followed in the footsteps of her brother John Paech, now of Wodonga, who attended the preschool one year earlier.
Her eldest daughter Cheri, 44, also attended the Kiewa Street preschool before it moved to its present site at 720 Alma Street, where her daughters Julie and Jodie got their early childhood education.
Two granddaughters and two grandsons have also attended the Alma Street centre.
Albury Community Preschool will celebrate its 70th anniversary with activities and displays planned on the week beginning October 26.
Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ Per Westman will perform at 9.30am followed by morning tea on Monday, October 26, Tuesday, October 27, and Friday, October 30.
There will be a history wall to display memorabilia in the preschool foyer.
Albury Community Preschool director Gabe Connell said it was a wonderful milestone for the oldest preschool in Albury.
“Albury Preschool is particularly old; not too many preschools were around in 1945,” she said.
“It’s indicative of how a strong community can work together to serve something so good. It all started on the back of lamington drives and fashion shows because funding over the years hasn’t been great.”
Mrs Gould looks forward to reflecting on the history of the preschool when she returns with her daughter, Jodie Tiernan, on October 30.
“Preschool was a very happy time for me; I’m glad my children got the opportunity to go to preschool too.”