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Image (left to right): Aunty Flo Watson, Ama McRose Elu and Melody Ingra, Goodstart National Cultural Liaison
Throughout our journey, we have worked to weave reconciliation through the fabric of our organisation so it's in the hearts and minds of our Goodstarters.
Two Elders in particular who have been instrumental to Goodstart’s reconciliation journey are Aunty Flo Watson and Ama McRose Elu providing guidance and inspiration. These inspiring, trailblazing women have been a source of inspiration not only in their local communities, but for anyone who is lucky enough to experience their guidance
Aunty Flo Watson is an Elder Ghunghanghi and Wulgurukaba woman from Townsville/Magnetic Island and Kukuyelanji from Cape York. Aunty Flo is well known around the nation for her active work in reconciliation and we are very honoured and blessed that she works with Goodstart to guide us on our reconciliation journey.
Aunty McRose Elu also known as Ama Rose is a Torres Strait Islander Elder from Saibia island who has worked tirelessly as an advocate for reconciliation, climate change and for her people of the Torres Strait. Ama Rose comes and shares with our organisation the history, customs and culture of Zenadth Kes and shares her lived experience and unwavering support for reconciliation.
Ahead of NAIDOC Week 2025, Aunty Flo reflected on her journey with Goodstart to create change for the next generation.
“Goodstart’s vision is for children to have the best possible start in life, and what better way than to have it be a part of the reconciliation process, to have that respect, responsibility and relationships, and to know that they respect their Elders and they respect the culture.” Aunty Flo said.
“I love being a part of Goodstart - because of the children, and I just love seeing them, and how they celebrate culture and just knowing the educators are there.”
Through their work with Goodstart, both Aunty Flo and Ama Rose advise on cultural practices for our centres, share their stories to bring truth telling to the forefront of Goodstart’s journey and connect with educators around the country through the First Nations Community of Practice, Hidden Histories cultural competency training and the development of each of our Reconciliation Action Plans.
“It’s very important (to have Elders included in early learning) because we have a wealth of knowledge of our culture, our traditions and our ways. Our presence here in Goodstart, is educational, not only for the staff, but the children too.” Ama Rose said.
“It's also like a healing process for us, that we can tell our stories and support reconciliation, and celebrate NAIDOC.”
On the 2025 NAIDOC theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, Ama Rose and Aunty Flo were proud of their work with Goodstart to support reconciliation with the next generation.
“One day it will be a legacy, and those young people also will pick up something that we said and they'll come up to you and say, “I know these old ladies, I know Aunty Rose and Aunty Flo said this once,” you know, I mean that's for me something that you know is embedded and it's continuation of knowledge, like what we say about even just our presence being there.” said Ama Rose.
“We don't have to say anything, you know, because they can feel the warmth of love and comfort and strength and wisdom that we offer for all of you.”
“It's always been my vision that there’s reconciliation and all that, but to have the strength to do it,” said Aunty Flo.
“We have a lot of racism still going on. But, you know, I'd like to think that a lot of people have accepted the truth of this country. If we can leave a legacy, we've done our best to help with the reconciliation process, I think that'll be a big thing for us.”
Learn more about reconciliation at Goodstart here.