It was just after the 1990 flood which devastated Nyngan and its surrounds, when a group of community members first applied for Government funding to start a mobile early childhood service to reach rural and remote families across the region. 

Margaret Morley filled out the application, and Sharne Dutton headed the first parent committee – and the Bush Mobile began what has been three decades of visiting a generation of young families across five Local Government Areas. 

The service continues to be based in Nyngan, auspiced by the Bogan Shire Council, and over the years has visited communities as far as Collie, Mungery, Coolabah, Girilambone, Duck Creek, Tottenham, Collereinna, Trangie, Warren, Marthaguy, Nyngan and Hermidale – providing sessions for young children and their families in country halls, school playgrounds and homestead gardens.

In the early days it wasn’t uncommon for the fortnightly or monthly two-hour Bush Mobile visit to be the only social interaction young families had, and it became a much-anticipated social outing. 

 In 30 years, rural roads and cars have improved, and the internet has helped bridge the town and country gap – but the Bogan Bush Mobile is still travelling as many kilometres as ever, servicing 10 venues a fortnight. 

 Bogan Shire Council Manager of Education and Community Services, Tracey Hobday, said there were currently 96 children from 74 families enrolled to attend Bush Mobile, and in keeping with its founding mission the service still provides early childhood education, and provides information on events, specialists and anything else of interest. 

 Ms Hobday said that while Bush Mobile had remained a constant presence in outlying communities, it had also evolved to stay relevant.   

Just add water - some things never change for the Bogan Bush Mobile. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

In addition to the traditional two hour play sessions involving children and their carers, the service now also provides long daycare, where families can leave children at a session. 

“We provide this once a week at the Marra and once a fortnight at Collie."

There have also been conditions imposed by the Federal Department of Education which funds the service. As a result of legislative changes in 2019 mobile early childhood services must be assessed and rated against the National Quality Standards (NQS). 

Ms Hobday said Bush Mobile recently underwent its first assessment, where it was rated on the seven “quality areas” of the National Quality Standards - educational program and practice; children's health and safety; physical environment; staffing arrangements; relationships with children; collaborative partnerships with families; and communities and governance and leadership. 

Constantly changing venues means mobile services need to stay flexible while meeting all standards.

 As well as acquiring evidence the service was meeting requirements in these areas, the assessor also visited the venues to assess staff and the venue, to talk to the parents, observe interactions between educators, children, families and team members.  

“We have not received our rating as yet. I expect to receive the draft report in the next couple of weeks, but the feedback I received from the assessor was very positive,” Ms Hobday said. 

“The rating process means families can rest assured knowing that we provide quality education and care for their children that aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework/My Time Our Place Framework.” 

All educators that attend the venues are either have early childhood qualifications or are working towards them.  

“Families can leave their children in our care knowing that we provide a safe and welcoming environment for their children to learn in and one which ensures children are meeting their developmental milestones. If they aren't, we can support families by providing information about services that can provide specialist resources tailored to each individual child”.  

Former Bogan Bush Mobile president Kate Yabsley "Murrawombie" Girilambone remembers the service being a vital part of growing up for her four children – now aged 13, 16, 19 and 21. 

"We live 60km from Nyngan, and like many families out here now we didn't have near neighbours or extended family close by so my children looked forward to the social interaction. Sometimes it was the only time in a fortnight that they actually saw other kids." 

Kate, who was director of West Dubbo Pre School before moving to Nyngan, said there had long been a need for long day care in rural and remote areas especially as more mothers were involved in the running of the farm businesses.