TOORADIN Maternal and Child Health Service celebrated its 60th anniversary on Thursday 24 May.

Casey mayor Colin Butler hosted a function to mark the occasion.

Special guests included inaugural pre-school building committee members Noela Maxwell and Beryl Maddern, the original preschool teacher Rose Johnstone, and previous sisters, including Fay McIntosh.

Noela Maxwell fondly recounted some of the fund raising efforts of the committee to pay for building the Tooradin Infant Welfare Centre, which included lots of baking sales and tin rattling on the foreshore, as well as some of the hiccups involved at the launch of the centre.

Cr Butler congratulated those involved in starting the centre and those who continue the important service in Tooradin and for raising money to build the pre-school.

“For 60 years this centre has been an important asset for the community and for families.

“It is through the commitment of our maternal child health nurses that the City of Casey is able to provide a range of services to families with children.

“Last year 46 babies were born to Tooradin families and all attended the centre and 238 children between birth and five years are enrolled in the centre,” Cr Butler said.