Salamander Childcare Centre benefits from Port Stephens Council grant

Five community groups from the New South Wales Port Stephens Council area are sharing in over $25,000 in grants which aim to empower the local Aboriginal community.

 

“Council enjoys a strong relationship with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, collaborating on a range of projects which promote understanding of Aboriginal culture and celebrates their contribution to our community,” Mayor Palmer said.

 

Salamander Childcare Centre is one of the recipients, and has been granted $5,000 to run the Wayapa Program, engaging Sarah Corrigan from Rainbow Crow to run sessions focussing on connecting children to Country through movement, stories and walks.

 

Having Ms Corrigan at the service, Salamander Director Daniel Freeman said, has enhanced the curriculum offered to the children. 

 

“This program is helping to embed Aboriginal perspectives into the learning projects the children are already undertaking.”

 

“Sarah uses the children’s interests to help to create authentic opportunities to learn about culture in context, widening our perspectives and practices, closing the gap and working towards reconciliation.

 

Having cultural education that isn’t presented merely through structured group times, or that takes children away from their play, is an important consideration for the service, he continued. 

 

“Thanks to the Aboriginal Projects Funding, we can continue to have Sarah be a part of our day, join in with our curriculums, and play alongside children, who are connecting with culture in meaningful ways,” Mr Freeman added.

 

Other recipients include Seaham Preschool ($3,712), Anna Bay Public School ($6,000), Midnight Dreaming Studio ($6,000) and Capital Chemist Raymond Terrace ($6,000).