Our team

Director

Rhian has been Director of the Service since January 2014 when her mother Susan Callagher stepped away from the role. Rhian holds a Diploma of Children’s services and has worked in the industry since 2004. She divides her time at the Service between the Service Director role and Guppies group leader (2-3 years room) that is shared by her sister.

Rhian has a special interest in sport, having been involved in playing team sport year round from a young age. At the Service this translates into a lot of fun shared with the children when active or gross motor play is involved. In September 2015 Rhian and her husband Brad welcomed a new member to the family, a little boy who many of the children call “Kindy’s Baby”.

Turtles group leader (newborn-2 years room)

Bhree is the youngest of the three Callagher children and assists her eldest sister, Rhian Duke, with the running of the Centre. She began work at Belrose Kindergarten in 2009 while completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of Sydney. She worked mostly in the mediums of ceramics and painting and was asked to lead classes of large groups of primary school children. She also has her Certificate 3 in Children’s Services.

While at University, Bhree developed a strong interest in using art as a therapeutic medium for children by supporting their creative and expressive selves, increasing sensory awareness and integration, problem solving and self esteem.

She is a Turtles group leader (0-2 years room) and is also learning about centre management and finances from her father Steven.

Susan is Assistant Director and works with Rhian in day to day operations, providing a wealth of experience and playing a supportive mentor role with the staff along with doing relief work.

Sue owned and was Director of Belrose Kindergarten from 1999 to 2014 when she decided to step away from the paperwork and spend more time with the children, a role she enjoys most. She has a wealth of knowledge and is helping her daughters, Rhian and Bhree to carry on her work at the Centre.

Sue has an Associative Diploma of Childcare and has worked in the industry for over thirty years. Her love of gardening is something she enjoys sharing with the children by introducing and encouraging hands-on activities. Sue also loves engaging the children with music and her years of experience allow her to captivate and engage the children as they sing, dance and play instruments together.

Guppies group leader (Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday)

Kat is a Guppies group leader (2-3 year olds). Originally from New Zealand, she has worked at the Centre since 2009. She recently became a mum, but continues her work at the Centre two days a week. She holds a Diploma of Children’s Services.

Nicci has worked at Belrose Kindergarten since 2006 and is the middle of the Callagher children. She has a Diploma in Children’s Services and is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Swinburne University Online.

Nicci has a background in music, singing and playing piano. Her current studies have inspired her and she is passionate about supporting children’s emergent literacy and numeracy development through meaningful real-life experiences.

Carolyn does relief work at Belrose Kindergarten as well as assisting at local schools. She has taught at primary schools for over 20 years, working mainly with younger infant school children. Carol is Sue’s sister and aunt to Rhian, Nicole and Bhree.

Yasmin does relief work at Belrose Kindergarten while she completes her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.  Yas has known the Callagher family for many years in which both her daughters attended the Centre.  She joined our team in 2013.

Steve has assisted with the operation of the Centre since he bought it with his wife Sue in 1999. He looks after general maintenance and has an active role in designing and constructing parts of the Centre environment. Steve also plays an important managerial role, looking after the Centre’s finances. In 2014, he took a bit of a step back and is now helping Rhian and Bhree in their management roles. Steve’s hobbies are surfing and camping.