History of the Centre
The centre was officially opened on 6 February, 1929 by its founder, Mrs Martha Annie Dennis. Mrs Dennis was involved in many community welfare programs, mostly concerning women and children. The centre was originally known as the Northcote Creche and Day Nursery, but was later renamed Annie Dennis Children’s Centre.
In 1936, the kindergarten was also opened on the site, and was named Annie Dennis Kindergarten. At that time, it was only the third free kindergarten opened in Victoria.
The two-storey building which fronts onto the Bastings Street yard dates from the 1860s. It is one of a small number of mansions in Northcote which date from this pastoral phase of Northcote’s history.
