Alick-John Scerri, Allyrah Ocello, Janelle Trainor, Ari Winmar and Karl Palfalvy.
Camera IconAlick-John Scerri, Allyrah Ocello, Janelle Trainor, Ari Winmar and Karl Palfalvy. Credit: Supplied/Will Russell        www.communitypix.com.au d462488

Hamilton Hill daycare implementing Reconciliation Action Plan

Jaime ShurmerCockburn Gazette

Christie Byrne from the Teddy Bear Corner Childcare centre said staff attended a course that sparked a desire to make the service more inclusive and respectful and immediately introduce acknowledgement of country at its events, acknowledgement of the Nyungar tradition at staff meetings and the display of posters.

“Our service caters for 47 long- day-care children and 20 out-of-school-aged children,” Ms Byrne said.

“We want to understand the country, value Aboriginal culture, share their history, increase Aboriginal presence and make it the norm for children to be exposed to and understand these concepts and topics.

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“We aim to reduce discrimination and be responsible for the documentation process and be a part of the nation’s healing and make it a truth for children at our centre to understand there is no place for racism or discrimination in Australia.”

The centre wants to go beyond “tokenism” and plans to play traditional music, engage local elders, explore bush tucker and research and grow plants.

It also consulted the Recognition Australia Narragunnawali website.

“We contacted our local council after reading their fantastic Reconciliation Action Plan and realised that they are the only council in WA who have a fully implemented RAP in the state,” Ms Byrne said.

“They were very kind to provide us with links and information that has helped us perform better in our journey and were kind enough to offer us a set of Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander flags for our service.

“We are very excited and see this is another step in our ongoing journey towards our goals.”