The original Lady Gowrie Child Care Centre in Battery Point, Hobart, was one of six such centres established throughout Australia by the Commonwealth Government in 1939 as a demonstration, training and best practice model for early childhood professionals across a range of services - education, care and health. Lady Zara Gowrie, wife of the Governor General, was a strong advocate and supporter of the principles and because of this, it was decided that each of the six centres would bear her name. She personally opened each centre and the Tasmanian one was opened in July 1939.