How one kinder’s welcome mural put First Nations collaboration front and centre

Last year Californian Gully Kindergarten unveiled a 2.4-metre-wide welcome mural under a bright winter sun. More than simply a piece of art, the mural is a manifestation of many months of collaboration with local Indigenous families, children and staff, led by Kerri Douglas – Dja Dja Wurrung and Bangerang artist (pictured left).

Community Child Care Association (CCC) sat down with kindergarten teacher, Karen Reeves (pictured right), to learn more about what the mural means to the community, and the ongoing process of learning, reflection and relationship building that brought it to life.

‘The biggest thing for me was trying not to have any preconceived ideas of what the mural would look like. It was more important to have the children engage with the artist and share their ideas,’ Karen tells us. 

The mural came about after discussion from educators at the service, which is managed by Y Kinders, about how best to display their commitment to weaving Indigenous perspectives into the service’s program. 

Kerri, the artist, held several sessions with the children, teaching and discussing with them the symbols representing people, a meeting place, and animals and their tracks. The children helped select the colours and watched as the mural began to take shape. 

At the unveiling, which included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, Kerri said, ‘This story was created by a group of children. It tells the story of a kinder, of a special meeting place where children and the adults supporting them can all come together to celebrate who we are. Our uniqueness, our differences, and our similarities, all while honouring the Dja Dja Wurrung land that we learn and grow on.’

‘Thank you to all the little people who opened their hearts and minds to let me paint their ideas. The experience of painting this mural with the guidance of the children fills my cup,’ Kerri added. 

The mural depicts children, families and community members, and tracks leading to the meeting place – Californian Gully Kindergarten. 

Karen says the process has allowed the children to connect more deeply with the symbols. 

‘Many of our children are able to recognise familiar symbols in other activities throughout the program and also in Indigenous stories that we read. They are then able to share that knowledge with their families and peers.’

Karen explains that the impact goes beyond the children. 

‘The mural is very visible to anyone who goes past the kindergarten. We have one family who touches their handprint each day on arrival. We‘ve also had some of the families involved [tell us] they have a sense of pride in their culture when they look at the artwork.’ 

Californian Gully Kindergarten’s mural is one step among many on the service’s reconciliation journey – and not the last. In the second half of the year the service connected with an Indigenous Elder from the Bendigo area who came and played the didgeridoo and taught the children dance moves. Californian Gully Kindergarten shared this connection with other Y Kinders in Maryborough, with plans to extend on the incursions this year. 

‘We will always look for ways to include Indigenous perspectives into our program,’ Karen says. 

‘It takes a lot of small steps to get to a place where you are confident to show your passion for inclusion.’ 

‘Taking the first step is often the hardest. It doesn’t matter how small the steps are, as long as we keep taking them.’

Californian Gully Kindergarten is a member of Community Child Care Association (CCC). This article was originally published in CCC’s member magazine, Roundtable. Find out more about CCC membership here.