Award honours deep connections

A ground-breaking program that celebrates First Nations culture at Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten services, and has created a culturally safe space, has won a prestigious award.

Sesame Lane’s Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring centre won the 2024 Metro North Region Coolamon Award after developing programs that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, helping them to thrive and feel safe and represented.

The Coolamon is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award bestowed on an Early Learning Centre for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives throughout their daily practices.

Head of Sesame Lane Kerri Smith says the recognition reflects the dedication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Liaison Educator Rebecca Martin and Anzac Ave service manager Bree Masters, as well as the commitment of Aunty Brenda and other elders who visit centres across Moreton Bay each week.

“It’s been a journey for Sesame Lane and we couldn’t have done it without Aunty Brenda,” Kerri says.

“Her knowledge and ability to help everyone shine and have an understanding of all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage has been an inspiration.”

Supporting cultural exploration

Kerri says Rebecca Martin’s role as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Liaison Educator came from a Sesame Lane conference, where staff were asked to contribute an innovative idea.

“There was an overwhelming number of educators who said they wanted to understand more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” Kerri says.

“It’s been done in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Metro North Health Oral and Community Health Yarning Circle - we’re looking at indigenous culture from the ground up.”

Rebecca, a proud Yuggerah woman, says families have embraced the program, which is reflected across each centre through artwork, experiences and activities.

Positive outcomes

In her role, she supports and expands Sesame Lane educators’ understanding of culture.

By co-facilitating Cultural Collaborative Cluster meetings, Rebecca brings together Early Learning Services from within the City of Moreton Bay to collaborate, discuss and work together on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture.

“My passion is to ensure positive outcomes and culturally safe and consistent support for all children

and families, working to ensure the services and relationships not only here at Sesame Lane, but within every Early Childhood service, are safe.

“My family are Stolen Generation and I didn’t have the opportunity to be embedded in their culture.

Facilitating change

“The idea is for our children to be visible in their environment.

“I am so thankful that Sesame Lane have that visibility, that I feel visible in the organisation where I am, with very good career growth and to be able to be part of change.”

Rebecca says children at Kippa-Ring especially look forward to Aunty Brenda’s weekly visits to the Anzac Avenue centre.

“Aunty Brenda enriches the cultural tapestry of our community.

“The visits symbolise a bridge between generations, cultures, and traditions.”

Shared journey

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Community and Oral Health Indigenous Community Health Iiaison Worker, proud Gunggari woman and grandmother of a child at Sesame Lane Anzac Ave Dee Dodd works with elders who visit Sesame Lane.

“Aunty Brenda told me that coming here and being with these children gets her healing and makes her soul happy,” Dee says.

Aunty Brenda, a proud Bidjara-Wakka Wakka woman, says she gets as much from her visits as the children and educators.

“For me, as an indigenous elder, it means part of reconciliation, starting from a young child and that touches my heart.

“My grandmother and grandfather are from the Stolen Generation and granny had 17 children and five were born on Country.

“Dad was stolen when he was two months old.

“I had two perfect role models because my other Nanna had 15 children.

“To stay in the Mission and watch these old girls gave me an incentive and realisation of that love, empathy that we give to the children…they are my priority."