July 2024 – December 2026
The Save WCCC campaign brought together families, educators, neighbours and supporters to protect WCCC, a not-for-profit early childhood service that had served local families for almost fifty years in various forms and had operated from Union Street since 1997. Over two and a half years, it prevented the immediate closure of an Exceeding-rated community service, secured a pathway to ongoing public ownership of the site, and preserved land first acquired by the Victorian Government in 1927 for public purposes.
History of the campaign
After being advised that it would be required to leave the Union Street site, and that Swinburne University of Technology sought to rezone and sell the land away from public use, parents, educators and community members formed the Save WCCC campaign.
Over the following two and a half years, the campaign brought together families, volunteers, early childhood organisations, unions, former Swinburne leaders and representatives from all levels of government.
The community made 651 submissions to the Victorian Government supporting the retention of the land for public use, distributed more than 70,000 flyers and contributed approximately 5,000 volunteer hours. The campaign remained constructive and bipartisan, focused on securing a practical solution that would protect both the Centre and the land.
After successful community advocacy, Swinburne University and the City of Stonnington signed a contract for the sale of the Union Street property.
The $8.4 million purchase was funded through a $4.3 million Commonwealth Government contribution and $4.1 million from the City of Stonnington. The Victorian Government provided the approval required for the property to be sold below its assessed market value for community benefit.
The City of Stonnington will become the public owner and long-term custodian of the property, ensuring it continues to be used for community childcare and kindergarten purposes.
A new lease between the Centre and the City of Stonnington secures WCCC’s continued operation at its purpose-built home.
Our thanks
Windsor Community Children’s Centre acknowledges the extraordinary contribution of the Save WCCC Community Working Group.
Made up of volunteer parents of WCCC, the Working Group devoted more than two and a half years to securing the Centre’s future. Alongside raising families and maintaining their own careers and commitments, members contributed thousands of hours to research, advocacy, community organising and engagement with governments, elected representatives and stakeholders.
The Board also thanks the many families, educators, former parents, local residents, volunteers, early childhood organisations and unions who stood alongside the campaign. Every letter written, submission made, meeting attended, flyer delivered and conversation helped to secure this outcome.
We also acknowledge the many elected representatives from local, state and federal government, across political parties and the independent crossbench, who engaged constructively with the campaign. Through public advocacy, parliamentary action, funding commitments and collaboration across governments, they helped turn community-led action into a lasting outcome.
The future of Windsor Community Children’s Centre is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together in support of children and future generations.