Taking centre stage singing in language and performing a dance showcasing native animals, a proud group of children from Birrelee MACS (Multifunctional Aboriginal Children's Service) kicked off celebrations in Tamworth to mark National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

The NSW Department of Education ran the free community event promoting early childhood education and care, which brought together one of the largest regional Aboriginal communities in the state.

Hosted by Aboriginal actor and Play School presenter, Luke Carroll, the event at Tamworth Sports Dome included a stellar line up of performances and activities for families and children aged 0 – 5 to enjoy.

Performances included Play School live in concert; one of Australia’s finest didgeridoo players, Aboriginal musician Mark Atkins; Gomeroi musician and Moree Secondary College student Kyla-Belle Roberts, 15; and Wiradjuri performer, Uncle Johnny Huckle.

  This year’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day theme is Strong in Culture, Stronger Together, focusing on the strength of children that comes from connection to culture, Country and mob.   

 NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar attended the event , now in its second year.

“We are thrilled to host the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day event for the Aboriginal communities in New England to celebrate our early childhood education and care sector,” Mr Dizdar said.  

 "It’s essential for children to embrace and be proud of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture from an early age, with these values, identity and language being passed on from generations in the oldest continuous living culture in the world. 

 “We know that culture is central to a child’s sense of belonging and success in lifelong learning. The Early Years Learning Framework that guides all early learning services ask our educators to build upon children’s understandings of diversity, and specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.” 

For more than 40 years, Birrelee MACS has been connecting to its rich Aboriginal culture by teaching children traditional dance, storytelling and giving lessons in language.

Service director Rachael Phillips said the service prides itself on providing a place to reflect and strengthen Aboriginal identity within the wider community. 

“We have been working hard to pass on culture and make it part of everyday practice,” she said.

“Children are going straight to the clapsticks in the morning to play with them, they’re singing to themselves and facilitating their own learning.

“What I want for the future is our children to live knowing they are strong and beautiful black cultural kids.”

Ms Phillips took home the Individual Leadership Award at the 2023 HESTA Early Childhood Education and Care Awards for her work in advancing education for First Nations children and for advocating for more culturally appropriate early learning settings.   

According to the 2021 Australian Early Development Census Report, 4 in 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are developmentally vulnerable when they begin primary school.   

 NSW Department of Education Deputy Secretary of Early Childhood Outcomes Mark Barraket said the NSW Government launched the First Steps strategy in 2021, a 5-year plan to ensure the best educational outcomes for Aboriginal children.  

 “We are proud of the work we have done to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal children aged 0 – 5 years old across the state,” he said.  

  “We are proud to have seen enrolment rates, access to language programs and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in staff numbers increase since First Steps was launched in 2021.”   

 This includes the Ninganah No More Aboriginal Languages program which aims to increase the teaching of Aboriginal languages in ECEC services, including the establishment of four language hubs.