Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. Children’s Day is a time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, and all Australians celebrate the strengths and culture of our children.
It is an opportunity for us to show our support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
First Nations books for the Monash Children’s Hospital School
To celebrate this year’s theme, “My dreaming, my future”, the Aboriginal Health team have donated a whole stack of fantastic books by First Nations authors to the Monash Children’s Hospital School.
Tracy Van Beek, Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer for the Monash Children’s Hospital, presented the books to Colin Dobson, Principal of the MCH School.
Storytelling in the Starlight Studios
Between Children’s Day (4 August) and Indigenous Literacy Day (1 September) the Starlight Foundation will be running the two fantastic videos commissioned by the Aboriginal Health Service and recorded and edited by the Starlight Captains.
The videos feature Jaeden Williams, a proud Boonwurrung man, who is an Aboriginal children’s educator and storyteller. Jaeden tells the story of Bunjil the Creator, Waa the Protector, and their adventures. He also welcomes children to the land and introduces local language, through a poster handout of “Boonwurrung Body Parts”.
“We’re lucky to have Jaeden participate in our program,” the Starlight Captains say.
You can get a sense of Jaeden’s storytelling style in the clip below.
Storytime with author Jasmine Seymour
Award-winning children’s author Jasmine Seymour will also appear live today from 4pm on the Starlight stream to read her beautiful new book Open your Heart to Country. Jasmine will also teach some words and phrases from her mob, the Dharug people.
You can find out more about National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day here.
Approved by Andrea Rindt