Brenbeal acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which our service stands. They were the first to teach and nurture their children on this land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past present and future, who pass their knowledge, history and culture to new generations.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Brenbeal Children’s Centre will strive to understand and respectfully teach our community about the histories and cultures of our nation’s First Peoples. We hope our efforts will inspire current and future generations of Australians to respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s continuing cultures, contributions and achievements.
So, what actions are we taking to achieve our vision for Reconciliation? Our RAP has two broad strands. The first is professional development. As well as attending specific cultural training, we try to keep abreast of current issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. With greater understanding, we are better equipped to teach the children in our care.
The second strand is to incorporate Aboriginal perspectives in developing our curriculum, starting with an Acknowledgement of Country each day with the children. With thoughtful planning, we create opportunities to talk with children about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. This might be through something as simple as reading a Dreaming story, including native herbs and spices in a cooking experience, or displaying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. In the longer term, we are working to establish an indigenous garden, which will create more opportunities for teaching and connecting to Country.
For more information about Brenbeal’s Reconciliation Action Plan please contact Linda Churchyard, kinder@brenbeal.org.au