Family day care educator Yattowita (Nilanthi) Withana from Hampton Park, and Thanushka Samarasinghe from Narre Warren were two of the 65 regional winners from across Australia after being recognised for providing outstanding Family Day Care services.

Nilanthi feel blessed for winning the Family day care Australia’s regional award second year in a row for Bayside and South East Suburbs.

“What a blessing it is to be recognised as the best educator in Victoria’s Bayside and South Eastern Suburbs for the second time. I could not have gone this far without the enormous assistance and guidance I always had from the City of Casey,” she said.

Thanushka also won the Regional Award for the Eastern Suburbs, and was really honoured to received the award.

“I’m really happy and grateful that I won the award, and would also like to say that not just me but all the educators I know in the community are doing a great job. We put our heart and soul into our work,” she said.

Councillor Rex Flannery extends his greetings to both women for their amazing achievement and acknowledged the crucial role educators and carers like Nilanthi and Thanushka play in the community.

“I wish to congratulate Thanushka and Nilanthi on the outstanding service they provide to Casey families,” he said.

“Our community’s educators and carers play a big part in children’s development and growth, so it’s fantastic to see their outstanding contribution being recognised through this award.”

The City of Casey was also nominated for service of the year, as recognition of excellent service delivery.