Episode 7: Aunty Muriel Bamblett in Conversation with Children’s Commissioners and Guardians | Kids, Culture, Community

Episode Description

Recorded live on the main stage at SNAICC’25 in Meanjin/Brisbane, this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns takes you to a conversation about what must change to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families.

Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, and Boon Wurrung Elder Aunty Muriel Bamblett (VACCA CEO and SNAICC Chairperson) convenes a panel of commissioners and guardians from across the country to discuss the safety, wellbeing and justice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

Joining Aunty Muriel are Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter (National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People), Dale Agius (South Australia’s Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People), Natalie Lewis (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner), Jacqueline McGowan-Jones (WA Commissioner for Children and Young People), Shahleena Musk (NT Children’s Commissioner) and Shona Reid (SA Guardian for Children and Young People).

Commissioners and Guardians are independent voices who champion and advocate for children’s rights and hold systems to account. In this episode, they bring a human rights and accountability lens to the discussion on the continued over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care and youth justice systems. Together, they discuss the priorities for reform and what real change looks like for the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.

Keep the conversation going—follow and share this podcast episode to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.

This artwork was created to visually represent Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, a podcast by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.

At the heart of the artwork is a central motif drawn directly from the SNAICC Marulu design – a symbolic anchor that represents SNAICC’s identity, purpose, and vision. This central element grounds the piece, reflecting SNAICC’s leadership in advocating for the rights, wellbeing, and futures of our children.

Surrounding this are three figures, symbolising a community in conversation. These figures represent not only the act of yarning, but the diversity of voices – children, families, Elders, leaders, and community members – who will be heard through the podcast. The figures are encircled by layered soundwaves that ripple outward and inward, capturing both the expression of voice and the act of deep listening.

These soundwaves reflect how stories, knowledge, and lived experiences are shared, received, and echoed across communities – from grassroots voices to national conversations. The design intentionally shows sound as both something that travels outward to inform and inspire, and something that returns inward to strengthen identity, connection, and culture.