About the Gudjagang Gulgul Early Childhood Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee

The Gudjagang Gulgul Early Childhood Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee (formerly known as Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Advisory Group) was established in November 2020 to work with the NSW Department of Education to co-design an Aboriginal ECE strategy. The First Steps Aboriginal Children’s ECE Strategy was launched in June 2021 and requires ongoing oversight and governance for its implementation.

The NSW Department of Education is committed to continue working alongside the Gudjagang Gulgul Early Childhood Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commitee to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are being heard in the decision making for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in early education.

New membership

We are now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the 2024 Gudjagang Gulgul Early Childhood Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee membership.

The renewal of the Gudjagang Gulgul Early Childhood Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee membership ensures new expertise and knowledge to support the group to achieve its objective, solve problems, mitigate risks and drive delivery outcomes. Memberships will be reviewed as needed and renewed annually.

Purpose and role

The purpose of the Gudjagang Gulgul Early Childhood Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee is to guide the work of the First Steps ECE Strategy and other key initiatives that the department has responsibility for in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Please see the Ways of Working for more information.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the Eligibility Criteria below:

• be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and provide evidence
• live or work in NSW
• meet one or more of the membership representations
• be committed to attending all meetings (both face to face and online)
• have knowledge on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Early Childhood Education and Care
• have an ABN (either a personal ABN or the organisations ABN if you are representing an organisation/service) or be willing to apply for an ABN
• have a Working with Children Check (WWCC) or be willing to apply for a WWCC.

Meeting schedule

Meetings will be held every 6 weeks alternating between in person meetings across NSW and online. Out of session activity may also be requested of members.

Remuneration and reimbursement

Remuneration

Members are entitled to be remunerated under their membership. Government representatives will not be entitled to be remunerated under their membership.

• Co-chair – $10,000.00 per annum
• Members – $5,000.00 per annum

Members will be paid at the end of the annual membership based on the following criteria:

• attend 75% of all meetings
• perform all membership roles and responsibilities outlined in the Ways of Working.

If members do not adhere to these requirements, payment will not be made.

Reimbursement

Members are entitled to be reimbursed for legitimate expenses incurred while carrying out their duties. Such expenses include travel, accommodation and meals (breakfast and dinner). Any claims must comply with applicable department policies and guidelines.

Note: the Secretariat will monitor and report members' attendance and participation to determine the annual membership payment for each member.

Contact us

Please email ECECGudjagangGulgul@det.nsw.edu.au for further details or if you would like to apply using a PDF application.