About the Boori Milumba launch & program
Boori Milumba is a program based at the Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre on Wadi Wadi Wandanian country in Nowra, NSW, that began on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Boori Milumba, meaning ‘child shine’ in the local Aboriginal language, 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 program seeks to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s outcomes, developmental progress, school readiness, and overall wellbeing by focusing on their specific needs as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 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.
The launch video includes wonderful footage from the day as well as words from some of those who were involved in its establishment, development, launch and ongoing success. Boori Milumba is 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.
Boori Milumba launch features (in order of appearance):
- Tara Leslie, CEO, Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
- Dr Anne Kennedy, Interim Board Chair of Parkville Institute
- Miranda Edwards, National Workforce Manager, SNAICC Early Years Support
- Emma Sydenham, Director of Early Childhood, Social Ventures Australia
- Hon. Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education
- Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC