Esther Lauaki
Ayla and Emma are among the thousands of Brimbank youngsters who will be acknowledged and celebrated during Children’s Week.
The week, from October 24 to November 1, celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities.
Crazy hair, dress up and art events and activities held throughout the week will be based around the theme ’A Caring World Shares’.
Sharing and caring are values that Ayla and Emma immersed in at St Alban’s Jindi Woraback Children’s Centre where the philosophy is centred on unity and steeped in Indigenous values.
Centre director Helen Bonnet said that, with the challenges COVID has presented this year, Children’s Week is about celebrating being together again.
“The main celebration would be the fact that we are able to have children attend the service,” Ms Bonnet said.
“We have a strong sense of community, always finding ways to connect with various services and organisations within our community that will support and strengthen us as a centre.”
The centre, on Victoria University’s St Albans campus, welcomes about 80 children a day and focuses on the future, Ms Bonnet said.
“We have connections with both TAFE and higher education providing learning opportunities for future educators and our children,” she said.
“The Indigenous culture is embedded within our everyday practices, with yarning time consisting of an acknowledgement of Country.
“Our greatest achievement has been the development of our own curriculum.”
Find out what’s on at schools, playgroups, childcare, kindergartens, cultural groups, libraries and community groups: www.childrensweek.org.au/
Esther Lauaki
