Radiant, one to five-year-old students from Berrimba Childcare Centre were filled with joy when celebrating Aboriginal Children’s Day on Thursday, August 4.
Twenty-four beaming students sang in language, participated in flag raising and performed a Koori dance for their special guests, the Victorian commissioner for Aboriginal children and young people, Meena Singh and Njernda chief executive, Tracey Dillon.
With smiles that could best be described as infectious, Berrimba children relished in the day that was all about them.
Assistant coordinator at Berrimba Kylie Goddard said this special day was something they celebrate at the centre each year.
“It’s a very important day. We’re celebrating their culture, celebrating them having a sense of identity and celebrating who they are and where they came from,” Ms Goddard said.
Commissioner Singh had been travelling across Victoria to learn about the issues impacting Aboriginal children, when she was invited to attend Berrimba for Aboriginal Children’s Day.
She said she had a personal connection to the region as she is a Yorta Yorta woman herself, and that it meant “everything” for her to be able to witness the children from Berrimba celebrating their culture.
“Places like Berrimba set up Aboriginal children with not only a fantastic education, but a fantastic support system,” Commissioner Singh said.
“These kids are literally our future so to be here today seeing such a wonderful, safe and strong space like this is really humbling and makes me feel great about the future.”
Commissioner Singh said celebrating Aboriginal Children’s Day gave children a sense of pride in their culture.
“Knowing who we are and where we come from stays with us forever, it cannot be taken away, and days like this only re-affirm that,” she said.
“It’s a really special day and it’s also the reason why we do the work we do.”
Ms Dillon said Njernda was very thankful the commissioner could be there to support communities on this incredibly significant day.
She said places like Berrimba helped Aboriginal children to foster connections with one another, encouraged them to socialise and set children up for their future education and for life upon finishing school.
“We definitely need an Aboriginal commissioner like Commissioner Singh, who can advocate for preventative, early intervention programs that stop Aboriginal children from being over represented in the justice system and in home care,” Ms Dillon said.
Ms Dillon explained that early intervention programs could be beneficial for children as young as the pupils from Berrimba.
“We need to start seeing more resources going towards these programs.”
Following her visit to Berrimba, Commissioner Singh conversed with a number of school-aged children from Echuca Moama to find out what they think about school and the challenges they’ve faced.
If you’d like to learn more about Berrimba Childcare Centre, visit https://www.njernda.com.au/services/berrimba-childcare-centre/