The People Who Make Ashmore, Ashmore

There is something powerful about being noticed.

Not just for the significant achievements, but for the quieter things: stepping in when somebody needs help, bringing calm to a difficult moment, knowing what a child needs, making a family feel welcome or simply doing something thoughtful that makes another person’s day easier.

That was the story that emerged from the 79 nominations submitted for Sanctuary Ashmore this year. Again and again, the nominations described a team that notices. A team that shares the load, supports one another and continues to show up when it matters.

At our 2026 Long Lunch, we had the opportunity to celebrate some of those contributions.

Christine stepped into the challenge of leading the Dolphins room for the first time this year, despite having limited leadership experience.

Her colleagues have watched her become more proactive, organised and confident, while she remains genuinely open to guidance and feedback. Through the challenges that come with greater responsibility, Christine continues to create a warm and inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued and supported.

Her award recognises not someone who already has every answer, but someone with the courage to step forward, learn openly and keep growing into the leader she has the potential to become.

Ashley’s leadership this year has been defined by adaptability.

She began the year leading Jellyfish, moved into a co-lead role when rooms combined and then volunteered to step into leadership again when Coral needed someone.

Through those changes, Ashley continues to build relationships, support her team and reflect on how environments can better represent children’s voices. Her colleagues also recognise someone with an extraordinary memory for what needs to happen next and who may need support along the way.

Her leadership is not tied to one room or one title. It is demonstrated through reliability, responsibility and a willingness to go where the centre needs her.

Ashmore has experienced significant change, and Sarah’s nominations spoke openly about the difference her presence has made.

She is described as both the glue holding Ashmore together and its heartbeat. Educators know they can approach Sarah with a programming question, a personal concern or simply when they need someone to listen.

Her influence extends into professional practice too. She supports educators to reflect, develop stronger programs and embed the Sanctuary Philosophy while advocating for pathways that keep children, families and educators at the centre of decisions.

Almost every educator at Ashmore has relied on Sarah at some point, not because she places herself at the centre, but because she consistently makes space for everyone else.

After more than five years at Ashmore, CeCe has built relationships with families from Starfish right through to Schoolies.

As a Lead Educator working with babies, she understands the enormous trust involved when parents leave their child in care for the first time. Her approach is grounded in warmth, honesty and respect for families as their child’s first teachers.

One nomination offered perhaps the greatest expression of trust possible: if they had a newborn, they would not hesitate to leave them in CeCe’s care.

That same ability to make people feel comfortable now extends to prospective families as CeCe helps welcome them through centre tours.

Federico was described as “the most wanted educator” at Ashmore, with rooms practically fighting over who gets to have him.

Behind that affection is an educator who brings safety, capability and calm wherever he goes. Children feel secure in his care, families trust him and colleagues know that if Federico is asked to help, the job will be done properly.

He works across rooms, supports his teammates, contributes new ideas and remains completely engaged with children. One colleague described him as “the calm to the chaos”, while another called him a quiet achiever who does far more than people may ever see.

Federico is also recognised as an important positive male influence, demonstrating through his practice that care, patience, creativity and tenderness belong to everyone.

Our lighter awards recognised the wonderfully specific talents that help make Ashmore what it is: Gairlie Obligado, Coffee Order Memory Award; Aslin Brennan, Glitter Wrangler; Yuka Page, Human Snooze Button; Mateo Juan Gonzalez, Lunchbox Whisperer; Jo Maguire, MacGyver; Sara Igusti, Most Likely to Be Found on the Floor; Bridget Breen, Nature Explorer; and Christine Reodica, Walking Wikipedia.

Behind the fun names are genuine contributions: creativity, knowledge, calm, resourcefulness, connection and the everyday acts of care that make a team work.

And perhaps that is the real story of Ashmore’s awards.

Seventy-nine times, someone stopped and thought: that person’s contribution matters, and it deserves to be seen.

To every recipient and every person nominated, congratulations.

You are what makes Sanctuary Ashmore, Sanctuary.

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