First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd

First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Photographer: Matthew Carbone

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd

Traditional Land Owners

Biripi

Year
2026
Chapter

NSW Regional

Region

Regional

Category
Public Architecture
Sustainable Architecture
Builder
Duber Constructions Pty Ltd
Photographer
Matthew Carbone
Media summary

First Steps Count Child and Community Centre is not only a unique integrated hub providing access to a range of services and coordinating programs for children and families but a beautiful safe place for the community achieving the aim of ‘Children first in everything we do’.

2026
NSW Regional Architecture Awards
Shortlist – Public Architecture
Shortlist – Sustainable Architecture

The families and staff at First Steps Count Child and Community Centre are so fortunate to benefit from this most beautiful building intentionally designed by the architect and lovingly built by the builder. Working in collaboration with the design and building team, including extensive engagement with the community, we have achieved the goal of a building that meets not only the physical requirements for families but a space that is beyond what we could ever imagine: a calm, beautiful, exceptional place for our community focussing on our most important aim “Children First in Everything We Do.”

Project Practice Team

Russell McFarland, Design Architect
Carolyn McFarland, Design Architect

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Caroline Pidcock, Sustainability Consultant and architect for original DA stage
Cantilever Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
CJ Arms, Hydraulic Consultant
CJ Arms, Civil Consultant
Blue Green Engineering, Electrical Consultant
Harris Page & Associates Pty Ltd, Hydraulic & Fire Services
Accuplan, Bushfire & Ecologist
Ali Haigh, Artist
Loci Collective, Landscape Consultant

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