About Us

Growing Strong Roots was created to provide support in areas of Educational Leadership, Assessment & Rating, Quality Improvement Plans and Administration Support for the ECEC & OSHC community . 

We are committed to providing a high-quality service to directors, coordinators, educational leaders and educators in the sector. GSR's mission is to support services through a personalised approach based upon each service's individual needs.

Growing Strong Roots is located on Gubbi Gubbi Country 

(Sunshine Coast, Queensland).

At Growing Strong Roots, we would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their connection to land, sea and community, and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.  

Ola Goryl began working in the early childhood education and care profession over 25 years ago.   Throughout her career she has held various leadership roles in both early childhood and outside school hours care settings. These include Area Manager, Pedagogical Manager, Nominated Supervisor, OSHC Coordinator, Long Day Care Director, Kindy Teacher and Group Leader. 

Ola completed her Diploma in 1997, her Bachelor of Teaching (EC) in 2003 and then successfully attained a Masters in Early Childhood in 2012 where she researched Bullying in Early Childhood. She is an advocate for quality educational programs in school aged care settings and early childhood and has a passion for supporting and mentoring Educational Leaders as they develop as professionals. 

Outside of the office, Ola loves spending time in her vegetable gardens growing food, hanging out with her four chickens and working with the community to develop sustainable practices around composting.

  Rebecca Schollum is an experienced early childhood professional who views herself as a lifelong learner.   

Rebecca holds a Certificate III in Community Services (Children’s Services), a Diploma in Community Services (Children’s Services) and Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) Honours degree from Macquarie University, where her thesis examined Parental Regulation of Young Children’s Television and Film Viewing. Rebecca has completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and her passion for professional development continues as she works with students studying their Certificate 3 and Diploma courses in early childhood . 

Rebecca values supporting educators and teams to grow and flourish for the best outcomes for children. When she steps away from her work, you will find her walking along one of the Sunshine Coast many walking tracks and thinking up small steps she could take to save the planet.