The Northern Territory Administrator of the time agreed, but said the ladies would have to raise 500 pounds, source a piano and ensure a certain amount of Indigenous students attended.

It is said, Ingrid and Maureen thrived on the challenge, and with a group of mums rallied to meet all three requirements.

Yesterday, Katherine South Preschool, the first in the town, reached a milestone: 60 years have passed and it continues to thrive.

Teachers, students, parents, and even alumni gathered at the preschool for the birthday celebration where a tree was planted, speeches were made and a cake was cut.

For the former students who had attended the preschool years ago when it was on Shepherd Street, the event was wrapped in emotion.

Kim Scott said her formative years under the watchful eyes of the preschool's dedicated teachers shaped her into the person she is today.

It was where she met her life-long best friend Jenny Rowbottom, and even gained the confidence to finally begin speaking.

"That friendship provided me the skills needed to grow up and the teachers at the time really fostered that.

"Jenny taught me how to dance, was the first person to tell me I was pretty... her whole career was built on making people feel good and that was in her from the beginning."

Current artist Danny Murphy attended the preschool around 1968, and despite the location change said it was surreal to be celebrating 60 years of growth.

He can recall fond memories filled with painting and games, which perhaps is where his passion for art stemmed.

"There was a lot of focus on playing and enjoyment," he said.

"I remember we would always have quiet time after lunch and we used to get fresh bottles of milk, which was such a luxury for me because my mum only made us powdered milk, and barely mixed it in."

Mr Murphy donated a Tamarind tree to mark the occasion, which was planted by the preschool's longest serving teacher's assistant Robyn Morris.

There through the ups and the downs, in her 35 years, Mrs Morris has seen the school inundated with water in the 1998 flood, the office building obliterated by white ants, a relocation, and many teachers and students pass through.

She first took the job to fit in better with her family life, but stayed for the love of the children.

"The continuity is what is great," she said.

"I am teaching the children of children who came here, and my grand children also attend the school. It has been amazing to watch them all grow and I love seeing how they turn out in their adult years."

She said she had faced many changes as the years progressed, but it was the introduction of more rules and regulations which had made the most notable difference.

"We used to be able to take the kids to the low level for a swim, but now we have to fill out paper work. It is much more rigid.

"There are countless tests these days for teachers, and the use of technology is just outstanding."

In a speech, principal of the school Karen Taylor, made note of the many teachers and staff over the years who had added their own "touch and flair", and said despite challenges the preschool continues to flourish.

"The school reached its capacity in 2012 to 2013 when we had three teachers, two assistants and 62 kids," she said.

"Some things haven't changed, the quality of service offered, although different now, still provides children with a great start to their education and instills a love of learning in all.

"With such a strong and proud history, strong community spirit and a committed and passionate staff, our future is bright.

"Katherine South Preschool will continue to create wonder and ignite curiosity in children well into the future."

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