Making the KU Difference
KU Marcia Burgess Award
The KU Marcia Burgess award is a perpetual honour recognising an individual or a team who demonstrate a
strong commitment to vulnerable children and families, or children with additional needs. The award is given
in memory of the late Marcia Burgess.
Mavis Purnell, Dr George Lewis
and Judy Croll
This year’s award was presented to three highly valued
people who have a long standing relationship with KU
and who have made a significant difference to the lives
of KU children and families over many years.
Mavis Purnell, Dr George Lewis and Judy Croll are
responsible for establishing KU Starting Points. KU
Starting Points, Macarthur started as a small informal
support group for families run by Mavis in a tin shed at
the back of KU Briar Cottage Preschool. In 1992, the
program was officially founded by KU in partnership
with the Institute of Early Childhood at Macquarie
University and was called Families First, later changing
to Starting Points, Macarthur. Mavis was appointed as
the first Coordinator, and George and Judy were our
partners from Macquarie University.
George, Judy and Mavis have continued their formidable
partnership with the KU Early Language and Literacy
Initiative, which operates in several KU services with
children and families who are seen to be particularly
vulnerable.
This award acknowledges the great contribution Mavis,
George and Judy have made to children, families, staff,
and to our organisation as a whole, and represents the
affection and high esteem they are held in by all at KU.
Since those early days, the program now receives
funding, has moved from the shed to a purpose built
building, and is recognised throughout the state as
an inspirational, inclusive, family centred program. Its
success also laid the foundations for the expansion of
the model to another region, the KU Starting Points,
Penrith program.
Vale
During 2011 three staff who contributed significantly to the organisation passed away and we wish
to honour and acknowledge their contributions to KU.
Meredith Griggs was CEO of KU from 1981 to 1994. During her
time as CEO, Meredith was an outstanding and influential early
childhood educator who led the expansion and diversification of KU
from preschool services to include long day care and the provision
of work based early childhood services for the corporate sector.
Meredith’s contribution to the early childhood sector was recognised
by the government when she was awarded the medal of the Order
of Australia (OAM). Upon her retirement from KU, Meredith was
made a Life Member of KU.
Kerry Burke, KU Manager, Child Wellbeing suddenly passed away in
September after a career with KU which commenced in 1974. Kerry
originally worked in Special Education and in 2002, was appointed
as the Manager, Child Protection. Kerry embraced her role with true
dedication, and with a great sense of justice and fair process.
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KU Children’s Services
Above all, Kerry never lost sight of the rights of all children to feel
safe and protected by adults. Kerry’s work was recognised by her
colleagues in KU when she was awarded the 2010 KU Marcia
Burgess Award for her work with vulnerable children and their
families.
Jan Fitzgerald commenced at KU as the Office Manager in
1976 and retired from KU in 2006. During her 30 years at
KU, Jan ensured KU’s governance obligations were met and
provided support to the Board and the Senior Management
staff. Upon her retirement, Jan was made a Life Member of KU
in recognition of her contribution to KU.
Each of these three people’s contributions to KU are woven into the
fabric of KU’s history and will remain strong threads we value.