SNAICC in the News for the week of 19 February 2024
The week of 19 February 2024 sees media coverage of the groundbreaking launch of Boori Milumba, an intensive First Nations early childhood education and care centre aimed at improving the developmental and learning outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Boori Milumba is a dedicated First Nations early childhood site that aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in improving school readiness, catering to children from birth up to 3 years old. The centre opened on Wednesday 21 February, 2024, on Wadi Wadi Wandanian country in Nowra, on New South Wales’s south coast. SNAICC – the National Voice for our Children is leading the co-development of the site in partnership with local communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. Importantly, the trial aligns with Closing the Gap Targets 3 and 4, reflecting a concerted effort to address disparities and improve outcomes for our children.
Additionally, two Aboriginal children, previously stuck in the UK child protection system, have been brought back to Australia with collaborative efforts from authorities. While details remain limited due to privacy laws, concerns persist about the situation’s handling and the delay in the children’s return. SNAICC had previously called for the immediate return of the children, highlighting the importance of cultural connection. In response to ongoing challenges within the child protection system, the NSW Government recently announced an Indigenous-led task force aimed at facilitating the safe return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to their families from out-of-home care.
For a comprehensive look at the events that happened, read the news and media stories linked below.
Topic: Launch of Boori Milumba
Significant advancements in improving the developmental and learning outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were made this week with the launch of Boori Milumba, an Indigenous-led early childhood education and care program on Wadi Wadi Wandanian country in Nowra on the NSW south coast.
Boori Milumba, meaning “child shine” in the local Aboriginal language, is specifically tailored to meet the individual and cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children facing family stress and hardship. It offers a comprehensive program for children aged 0-3 years at the Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, providing five hours a day of high-quality education and care for five days a week, at no cost to families. This initiative stands as a collaborative effort between SNAICC, Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, Parkville Institute and Social Ventures Australia. The program’s broader aim is to not only improve learning, wellbeing and development outcomes for participating children but also to serve as a model for effective early childhood interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationwide.
Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, spoke about the program’s potential to deliver positive outcomes for Indigenous children and early childhood workers alike. Boori Milumba’s focus on addressing the specific needs of Indigenous children from disadvantaged backgrounds resonates with SNAICC’s commitment to tailored supports and wraparound services that embed culture into practices. By combining culturally grounded practices with evidence-based strategies, Boori Milumba seeks to make a significant impact on the lives of our children while contributing to the improvement of early childhood services more broadly.
See the response to our Media Release and media engagements in the full articles below.
Read our Media Release
Article: NSW initiative supporting Aboriginal children to offer a path forward in early-childhood learning – National Indigenous Times (published 21 Feb)
Excerpt:
Read the full article“SNAICC chief executive Catherine Liddle said Boori Milumba was an exciting project aimed at delivering positive outcomes to both Indigenous children and early childhood workers.
“It’s initiatives like this that show our Aboriginal community-controlled organisation’s ability to close the gap in early education and early years targets and strengthen school readiness for our children,” Ms Liddle said.“
Media Release: Helping First Nations children get ready for school – The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Youth (released 21 Feb)
Excerpt:
Read the full Media Release“Boori Milumba has been co-developed in partnership with SNAICC, with a focus on a First Nations service-led design process that is culturally grounded, holistic, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of local First Nations children and families.”
Article: Boori Milumba helps First Nations children be set up for success – The Sector (published 22 Feb)
Excerpt:
Read the full article“Boori Milumba draws on First Nations knowledge and wisdom to create a nurturing environment for our children that celebrates their cultural identity,” she said.
“We know through evidence and experience that this Aboriginal-led approach, together with the intensive support on offer, will make a huge difference to the outcomes for children and families.”
Topic: Aboriginal children returned to Australia after being stranded in UK child protection system
Two Aboriginal children who were entangled in the UK child protection system without passports or visas are believed to have been brought back to Australia.
While exact details remain undisclosed due to privacy laws and the children’s age, efforts from authorities, including the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the Federal Attorney-General, are reported to have facilitated the return of the siblings, aged 14 and 15. The case has raised questions about how two children were allowed to remain in the UK without passports and underscores the necessity of ensuring such situations do not recur.
The incident highlights broader issues within the child protection system, particularly regarding adherence to the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which emphasises keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children connected to their community, culture and family whenever possible. As discussions ensue about the circumstances surrounding the children’s prolonged stay in the UK, SNAICC stresses the vital importance of ensuring the safety and successful transition of the children back to their family and community.
Read the full story in the article below.
Article: Two Aboriginal children in the UK without passports reportedly back home – National Indigenous Times (published 21 Feb)
Excerpt:
Read the full article“SNAICC, the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, had previously called for the children to be brought home immediately, with chief executive Catherine Liddle saying it was beyond belief they had been kept away from their culture and community.
“The fact they are in the UK in the first place is yet another demonstration of how child protection systems are failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families,” the Arnette/Luritja woman said in January.“
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