Connecting with Community on Quandamooka Country

At Redlands Integrated Early Years Place (RIEYP), reconciliation is an ongoing commitment that is embedded in the way the team work with families, community and service partners.

This week, the team hosted “Play Day on Quandamooka Country”, a free community celebration held in recognition of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day. This year marks the third year the team have hosted the event in partnership with Yulu-Burri-Ba, Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health.

“We recognise that meaningful reconciliation begins with listening, learning and building genuine relationships.” Redlands Integrated Early Years Place Service Coordinator Shannon Higgins said.

“Rather than leading First Nations initiatives ourselves, we work alongside local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, Elders and community members to ensure opportunities are culturally safe, community-led and responsive.”

“Each year this event has continued to grow and the enthusiasm from our local community has been incredible - families return year after year, service partners generously contribute activities and resources, and organisations from across Redlands come together to help create a welcoming and inclusive event.”

Redlands Integrated Early Years Place (RIEYP) is a community hub supporting children from birth to eight and their families, funded by the Department of Education and delivered by Goodstart Early Learning in partnership with The Benevolent Society.

This event provides an opportunity for many of the service’s partners to work together in one place, making it easier for families to meet support services in an informal, welcoming environment while strengthening relationships across our community. For First Nations families, it creates a culturally safe space where children can see their culture celebrated and valued. For non-Indigenous families, it offers an opportunity to learn, listen and deepen their understanding of the rich history and continuing culture of the Quandamooka people.

Families enjoyed a range of culturally rich experiences, including taste testing native ingredients, hearing the Jandai language, traditional storytelling, music, creative activities and nature-based play. The goal is not only to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children but also to create a space where culture is shared, respected and experienced together.

Over the past several years, the team have intentionally strengthened their relationships with Yulu-Burri-Ba, the Quandamooka Culture in Community Cluster and local Elders, while continuing to build cultural capability at the service - creating opportunities for other local services to learn alongside them. This approach has helped create stronger pathways for First Nations families to engage with early years services while enriching the experiences of all families who attend the programs.

“We see ourselves as walking alongside the Yulu-Burri-Ba team, recognising that they are the cultural experts and community leaders. Together we create opportunities that are community-led and culturally meaningful, while also helping to strengthen connections between families and the wider early years service system.”

“What we love most is seeing First Nations children celebrated with pride and creating opportunities for all families to learn together. When children experience culture through storytelling, music, art, language and play, they develop respect, curiosity and understanding from an early age.”

One of the greatest strengths of this partnership is the opportunity for reciprocal relationships. Yulu-Burri-Ba provides invaluable cultural leadership and guidance, while RIEYP helps bring together a broad network of early years services, creating opportunities for collaboration that benefit children, families and the wider community. Through initiatives such as Play Day on Quandamooka Country, the team are also encouraging other organisations to participate in reconciliation in practical, meaningful ways.

“The event demonstrates that reconciliation is built through relationships. By bringing families, children, Elders, community organisations and service providers together, we are creating stronger connections that continue well beyond the day itself.”

“We hope every family leaves with a greater appreciation of the world's oldest continuing culture and a stronger sense of belonging within our community.”

Learn more about Redlands Integrated Early Years Place (RIEYP) here.