Bringing the Fun Inside: In-House Events at YWCA Canberra’s School Holiday Programs

School holidays mean something special at YWCA Canberra. Yes, there are often excursions… but what happens on the days we stay on-site? Spoiler: just as much fun. 

We’ve put a lot of thought into making sure that every single day of our School Holiday Programs feels like an adventure, whether we’re heading out or staying in. That’s where our In-House Events come in. 

It’s more than just a ‘rainy day’ activity 

Our In-House Events aren’t a backup plan; they’re the highlight! We work with a carefully selected group of external providers and professional companies to bring high-quality, exciting experiences directly to our children. From sports to music to cultural celebrations, these sessions are designed to engage, stimulate, and — most importantly – be a whole lot of fun! Think of it like an excursion, just without the bus ride. 

We’re intentional about which events we bring in, too. Each one is chosen to reflect what children are genuinely interested in and what’s happening in the wider world around them.  

Familiar faces, fresh experiences 

Over time, we’ve built genuine, ongoing relationships with some fantastic partners  including Gecko Sports, Footsteps, Ronnie Jordan from Culture on The Move, and DJ Dennis, to name just a few. These aren’t one-off visits. Our providers return regularly which makes a real difference as children get to see familiar faces. There’s a sense of comfort and trust that comes from knowing who’s walking through the door and that safety and security allows kids to throw themselves into the experience wholeheartedly. 

Our educators 

These events don’t just benefit children; they’re also a genuine opportunity for our educators to learn and grow. Collaborating with specialists from the broader community brings fresh perspectives, new techniques, and innovative approaches into our programs. It’s a two-way street! Our educators bring their knowledge of the children, and our partners bring their expertise, and together they create something pretty special. 

Here’s why we say ‘In-House Events’ (and not incursions) 

You might notice we don’t use the word ‘incursions’ and that’s a deliberate choice. As part of YWCA Canberra’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we’ve moved away from language that carries connotations of “unwelcome entry.” The term In-House Events reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone (children, families, educators, and guests alike) feels genuinely welcome and respected on this land. 

It’s a small linguistic shift, but it speaks to something much bigger: our ongoing commitment to acknowledging and respecting the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate. 

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Chiara Will

Chiara is Director of School Age Care at YWCA Canberra, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a diverse range of leadership and management experience across the Early Childhood Education sector. Having held roles from Administration Officer to Centre Director, she brings a holistic skill base and a strength in solution-based approaches to learning. 

Prior to joining YWCA Canberra, Chiara led a team of over 25 educators, driving policy development, professional training and development, and contributing to Quality Improvement, Sustainability, Reconciliation, and Strategic Inclusion Action Plans. 

In her current role, Chiara leads the strategic development of processes and systems that ensure high-quality, safe, and inclusive environments for children. She mentors and empowers managers, leaders, and educators to deliver best-practice programs aligned with regulatory standards, fosters strong stakeholder partnerships, and guides the Quality Support Team in managing compliance and quality assurance across services. 

Shane McAlpine

Shane is Director of Children’s Services (ECEC) at YWCA Canberra, overseeing eight early learning services with 24 years of experience in the early childhood sector. He brings an extensive understanding of education and care, current practices, and regulatory requirements, with a robust approach to developing high-quality practitioners. 

Shane supports the day-to-day operation of educational practices and curriculum across all our early learning centres, with quality and pedagogical practice at the forefront. He plays a critical role in providing escalation support and mentorship to centre directors and educators alike. 

His professional passions include children’s rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and teaching perspectives, and advocacy for the early childhood profession. He is an active representative on the ACT committee of Early Childhood Australia. 

As a father of two children who have experienced the early years system firsthand, Shane brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in balancing work and parenting. This perspective shapes his inclusive, stakeholder-centred approach to service delivery across every centre he works with. 

Katherine Hellwig

Katherine is the Executive Director of Children’s Services at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in delivering education and care in ACT and the surrounding areas of the city. Her career spans both not-for-profit and commercial providers, highlighting her versatile and adaptable nature. 

For over 11 years, Katherine has held an executive role within a not-for-profit organisation that experienced significant growth in its early education and care portfolio. Her responsibilities included managing programs and initiatives that fostered engagement within the local community. 

Katherine began her career as an educator, and this hands-on experience has given her a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families. Her qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services, an Undergraduate Certificate in Service Management, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. In 2018, Katherine was honoured with the Community for Children’s Award by the ACT Children’s Week Committee, recognising her dedication and impact on the community.  

Katherine is driven by a strong pedagogical belief that all children have the right to access quality early learning in their first five years of life. She focuses on delivering high-quality education and care in both early education and after school care programs, ensuring children receive the best start in life.  

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra and has led the organisation since 2013, driving significant growth, high-quality integrated service delivery, and stronger corporate efficiency. Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation has become a courageous community advocate, ensuring the needs of vulnerable communities are seen, heard, and addressed locally and nationally. 

Frances brings a diverse background spanning the private and not-for-profit sectors across business, hospitality, healthcare, and community services. She remains a passionate advocate for policy initiatives addressing the root causes of women’s housing insecurity, homelessness, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. 

Frances also currently serves as Chair of Homelessness Australia and sits on the ACT Work Health Safety Advisory Council. Her former board roles include ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), WESNET, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT. 

Her leadership has been recognised with an Edna Ryan Award (2015), ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (2016), and selection into the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program (2021). Frances regularly represents YWCA Canberra at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in New York. 

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