Sharon Gill, the director of St Mary's Preschool at North Wagga, spent two years overseeing the transformation of the empty land into the “Bush Block” learning area.

Ms Gill, who has been at the preschool for more than 10 years, has been named as the winner of the high achiever award at a ceremony held by the Riverina branch of Early Childhood Australia.

Colleague Lisa Stout said the nature-based learning environment had been Ms Gill’s vision.

“It was Sharon who got it up and running,” Ms Stout said.

“She got the staff, the children and the families on board. She spent hours of her own time filling in applications for funding.”

Ms Gill worked with designers and other professionals to develop the space, which has an indigenous theme. She also had support from the Wagga Anglican Parish.

Wiradjuri man Mark Sadler also worked with Ms Gill to get the Bush Block up and running.

“Our children are now able to connect with the natural environment through play,” the award nomination for Ms Gill read.

“The children explore our local native flora, walk along the dry river bed (representing the Murrumbidgee river), seek shade under the recycled tin shelter (representing tin town) and hide in the gunyas.

“Stories unfold within the yarning circle whilst they listen to stories of our local indigenous culture.”

Ms Stout said the Bush Block project is ongoing, as St Mary’s is still adding to it, but the goal remains in place that the children do not take in toys and instead focus on the natural setting.

“The children absolutely loving going out to the Bush Block,” she said.