Maisie Kaufmann + Raymond Latimore
Maisie Kaufmann dedicated her life to her son, who was diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability at an early age.
Her legacy lives on through the Maisie Kaufmann Learning Centre and TESS Training Employment Support Service.
When Raymond was eight years old, Maisie threw him a birthday party with balloons and plenty of treats. Raymond
waited eagerly at the gate for his friends, but none came. This heart-wrenching moment inspired Maisie to devote
herself to supporting her son and others with disabilities.
In 1977, Maisie placed an advertisement in the Maryborough newspaper, inviting people with disabilities to play indoor
bowls at the Maryborough Pensioner’s Hall. About 40 people attended the event.
This led to the founding of the Peter Pan Sports and Recreation Club Incorporated.
After Maisie passed away in 1994, the Peter Pan Literacy Club Inc., now known as the Maisie Kaufmann Learning Centre,
was established in her honour.
In 2003, the centre officially opened as a Full-Time Training Centre, celebrating its founders, Maisie and her son,
Raymond Latimore. The centre is now a community-based Registered Training Organisation.
Raymond passed away in 2024, having benefited from the support of the dedicated team throughout the years.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, most original participants of the Peter Pan Literacy Club Inc. regularly attended classes
twice a week. Nearly 49 years ago, Sylvia Collins (nee Courtney) began teaching with her husband Trevor as her backup.
In 2023, Sylvia and Trevor decided to slow down and pass the torch to the next generation of dedicated volunteers.
Special recognition is due to Beth Sanders, who volunteered with the students for 39 years until the pandemic
restrictions halted classes. Beth’s bright spirit lives on after her passing, remembered and cherished by students,
volunteers, and the Board of Management.
We are seeking volunteers to continue this legacy of love and support. Join us and make a lasting impact in the lives of
individuals with disabilities.
At TESS, we open doors to a world of new opportunities, offering more fulfilling and lucrative employment pathways. We are dedicated to providing exceptional opportunities to our local community and students, regardless of their prior experience or knowledge.
Since 1983, we have been delivering community-focused training courses to the unemployed in the Maisie Kaufmann Learning Center region. Over these 40+ years, we've enabled numerous individuals to make significant, lasting improvements in their lives. If we can do it for them, we can do it for you too.
Having served this region for decades, TESS understands the unique training needs of our local community better than anyone else. We're here to help local people excel and reach their full potential. No matter who you are, where you are, and what you're doing now — you can achieve more.
At TESS, we ensure no one is left behind. Unlike larger institutions, we never lose sight of the individual. We appreciate that everyone has unique challenges, needs, and aspirations. We' will help you uncover and harness your incredible potential.
Our commitment to student-focused training ensures you derive maximum benefit from our courses. With the right support and guidance, anyone can gain qualifications and improve their lives.
