Farewell to a Trailblazer: June McLoughlin AM Retires After a Decade of Transformative Leadership
After more than a decade at the forefront of Our Place, and a career spanning over 40 years, June McLoughlin AM made the decision to formally retire at the end of 2024.
As a pioneering leader in education and community development, June leaves behind a legacy that has shaped the lives of thousands of children, families and educators across Victoria.
June’s journey with Our Place began at Doveton College, where she co-developed a groundbreaking model integrating education, health and social services. Her vision – to refocus early years and family services around the needs of communities – laid the foundation for a new way of working that put families at the centre. This model became known as the Our Place approach, reflecting the sense of welcome and belonging that families experience at each site.
As Executive Director of Our Place, June led the expansion of this approach from one school to twelve sites in nine communities across Victoria. At the time of retirement, her work had led to more than 39,000 children and their families to access over 280 services and programs annually, in collaboration with 110 local partners. These sites are more than schools – they are hubs of opportunity, connection and support.
In 2023, June was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her significant service to child advocacy and early learning. This honour reflects not only her influence on Our Place but her broader impact on state and national policy. June’s earlier work helped shape Victoria’s Early Years Learning and Development Framework, shift early intervention practices to a family-centred model, and establish national standards for early childhood services. She was also a founding director of the Raising Children Network, Australia’s national parenting website.
June’s contribution reaches far beyond program design or policy reform. She is a mentor, collaborator and change agent whose leadership has inspired a generation of professionals. Her unwavering belief in the potential of every child, and in the power of community, has driven lasting change in some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged areas and has become a model for others across Australia.
It is difficult to imagine Our Place without June’s wise counsel, strategic thinking and boundless passion. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and vision, and for the strong foundation she has laid for the future. While June’s daily presence will be missed, her legacy will continue to guide and inspire.
We wish June a joyful and well-earned retirement.
June McLoughlin Retirement Lunch, Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne
