Cloncurry asks Santa to put early childhood teacher under town’s tree after three-year search

A six-figure teaching job has gone begging for three years. Now locals are resorting to desperate measures to fill the position.

After a three-year search, the north west Queensland town of Cloncurry has united to ask Santa for a Christmas miracle – to deliver an early childhood teacher under their tree.

The town has received a state grant of almost $4.4 million for a new childcare facility, which is in development. Their current centre has 58 students and 34 more on the waitlist.

The teacher position includes a $105,000 salary plus super, accommodation, five weeks’ leave annually, and one rostered day off monthly. The initial 12-month contract, with extension possibilities, also comes with $2000 relocation expenses.

Pupils at Curry Kids Early Learning Centre in Cloncurry. Credit: Supplied.

The town of 3600 residents – located 780 kilometres west of Townsville and also the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service – has written a letter to Santa.

“We are a booming outback community, and we are desperate for an early childhood teacher. In fact, we need a few,” it read.

“There’s almost 100 kids ready to welcome them with the most fantastic outback handshake imaginable. Can you help?”

The Curry Kids Early Learning Centre currently has an exemption to operate without a qualified early childhood teacher.

Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell said the plan to recruit a specialist qualified early childhood teacher had been ongoing since pre-Covid.

“We were looking at bringing an overseas person in on a visa, but then Covid knocked that on the head and we’ve been struggling to get people to apply ever since,” Cr Campbell said.

“It’s very disappointing from the community’s point-of-view that we’re missing out on giving the children that high level of experience.

“But what is more disappointing is that someone is missing out on an amazing career opportunity. The right person just has to take a leap of faith.”

Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell. Credit: Supplied.

Cr Campbell said the town’s new early learning centre is expected to cost $6 million.

“The current facility was built in the 1980s and has been added to and added to over the years, so we’ll be starting with a new facility,” he said.

“We can double the size of our centre, so we potentially need two early childhood teachers, but we’re focusing on getting one for now.”

Cr Campbell said Cloncurry’s recruitment dilemma was reflective of many regional towns across the country, but pointed to the position’s generous salary and benefits.

“The Cloncurry community has been recognised as Queensland’s friendliest town two years running and last year we were Queensland’s tidiest town,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for someone to come out here from the east coast for a great career for a number of years and go home with a great nest egg.”

Opposition education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan said Cloncurry’s plight was not an isolated case.

“I’m saddened to see another Queensland community having to go to the media in a bid to drive the change they need to go about their lives in rural Queensland,” he said.

“Early childhood services are experiencing staff shortages across the board, not only qualified early childhood teachers but also diploma and certificate lll qualified staff.

“When asked what the employment target for early childhood teachers was, the Minister for Education (Grace Grace) admitted to having no specific targets, which shows a disconnect from the sector.”

However Education Minister Grace Grace last month outlined the state government plan to help regional areas attract teachers on all levels.

“Our new teachers agreement includes increased incentives to attract and retain teachers in regional, remote and rural locations,” she said.

“We are addressing similar issues in our critical early childhood workforce.

“Our new $1 billion Kindy for All package provides additional guaranteed minimum funding for over 350 kindergarten services in regional and remote areas to assist in attracting and retaining qualified early childhood teachers.

“This $38.5 million investment will allow services to offer things like above-award wages, relocation costs and subsidised rent.”

Applications can be submitted through the Cloncurry Shire Council advertisement.