Marjorie Mann Lawley Day Care Centre opened its present premises in 1969, one of the first services of its kind in Perth. At that time, there was no child care available for children under two and there was little (if any) financial assistance for single parents, presenting challenges for single mothers and working mothers who needed to work to provide for their family. Marjorie Mann identified the need for this service in the community and was determined to fill the gap and create a solution.

Marjorie Mann and her friends, Rita Murphy and Freda Waldron, started by providing care for babies on a voluntary basis in Marjorie’s own home. There was always a great demand for care and numbers grew steadily, even in the Centre’s early days. With the backing of the church and community groups, the fledgling Centre moved from Marjorie’s home on Crawford Road in Inglewood to its current premises in Mount Lawley, relying on donated equipment, fund-raising and volunteers to continue operating.

At that time, the Centre’s mission was to meet the needs of single parents, low-income families, families in crisis and families supporting children with special needs. The Centre worked closely with Dr. Trevor Parry at Princess Margaret Hospital, providing a unique service to families and children in need.

Marjorie Mann Lawley Day Care Centre has continued to flourish, change and grow over the years and recently celebrated its 50th Year of operation. We keep in mind how and why the Centre came into being and continue to be inspired by the legacy of Marjorie Mann, Rita Murphy and Freda Waldron. We are proud to follow their example as we support children and their families and work to bring about meaningful social change in our community.

At present , the welcoming, homelike atmosphere is undeniable. From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by a beautiful front garden. As you approach the building, you can’t help but notice the old front door decorated with a picture of our founding member Marjorie , much like a cherished family photo of Nana.

What truly sets the centre apart is the genuine sense of community fostered here—strong relationships among children, educators, families, and staff. It’s just as our founders envisioned all those years ago.

STAYING CONNECTED

Rita came to visit us on 9 October,, 2020 and said how great it was that the Centre had the same feel of happiness and joy as it did when they first opened in 1969. She also wrote us a letter to share the Centre’s history - you can read it by clicking the link below.

Rita’s Letter

Marjorie Mann has passed now but we have been blessed to keep in touch with Marjorie’s son, Michael Mann and his wife, Clair. They gifted us a transcript of a tape Marjorie had made, documenting her life story and the origin story of the Centre. We love keeping the history alive of these three selfless women. You can access and read Marjorie’s story by clicking the link below:

Transcript