1983 – 2021 · Mt Pritchard, NSW
It's child's play!
Hiyas ng Bayan — Gem of the Nation.
On 23 May 1983, responding to the needs of Filipino families and working parents, the Filipino Community Cooperative diversified its services and ventured into child care with the establishment of “Hiyas ng Bayan” — meaning Gem of the Nation. It was the first Filipino Child Care Centre, and it was first located in Mascot.
The Cooperative secured initial funding to accommodate 25 children. However, the proposal encountered opposition from local residents and the then Mayor of Botany, Ron Hoenig. Following a successful court case, both parties eventually reached a compromise, leading to the relocation of the Child Care Centre from Mascot to Mt. Pritchard.
This move marked an important milestone for the Co-operative. It was able to purchase land and build its own purpose-built premises — a property that still stands today.
As the Centre grew and the community became increasingly multicultural, its name was later changed to HNK Long Day Care and Pre-School, reflecting its commitment to welcoming children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The Centre catered for children from infancy to six years of age, providing a nurturing environment, nutritious lunches and the services of qualified pre-school teachers. At its peak, the centre cared for more than 30 children, becoming an important part of the local community.
For 38 years, from 1983 to 2021, the Cooperative operated the Child Care Centre from its Mt. Pritchard premises. It was a proud chapter in the organisation's history, touching the lives of generations of children and families.
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, however, brought an end to the Cooperative's direct child care operations. The Filipino Community Cooperative continues to manage the property, which is now leased to and operated by another child care provider.
From Hiyas ng Bayan to HNK Long Day Care and Pre-School, the Centre remains a lasting legacy of the Co-operative's commitment to family, children and community — proving that sometimes, the smallest beginnings can leave the biggest footprints.