11 SDN Redfern and SDN Surry Hills both reached major milestones during the year. SDN Redfern turned 80 on 11 May, and marked the occasion with a family event also attended by local state member Jenny Leong. Families and staff were welcomed to country by Uncle Craig Madden, whose own children had attended the centre. SDN Redfern opened on 20 June 1938 in a house given to SDN by Sydney woolbroker and philanthropist Mr JP Johnson and his wife. They subsequently donated two additional buildings on the street behind. The centre closed in 1977 for development and when it re-opened with a brand new building in August 1980 it had expanded to occupy the land of three houses on Pitt Street as well as the two properties behind (now the playground). On 30 May SDN Surry Hills held its 100th birthday celebration. SDN Surry Hills opened on 8 April 1918, operating out of two terrace houses on Riley Street offered by philanthropist Mrs Hugh Dixson (later Lady Dixson). In 1922, the centre collaborated with other early childhood organisations to become the Emma Elizabeth Dixson Welfare Centre. The adjoining terrace houses were remodelled to form one large building. In 1957 the Sydney City Council purchased the building, which was eventually demolished and on 27 July 1977 a brand new building, the current home of SDN Surry Hills, was opened by the then Lord Mayor of Sydney. It was only fitting that the current Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore helped to mark the 100th birthday, along with local members Jenny Leong and Alex Greenwich. We were honoured that Surry Hills families past and present, current and former staff and members of the SDN Board were welcomed to country by Gadigal Elder Uncle Ray Davison. SDN Redfern turns 80 … and SDN Surry Hills reaches 100 Clover Moore, Alex Greenwich and Jenny Leong at SDN Surry Hills. Uncle Craig Madden, Kay Turner, Angela Donohoe and Jenny Leong at SDN Redfern.