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Powered by play, nature and First Nations perspectives, Goodstart Shailer Park have been recognised as one of three Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Award Finalists for their inspiring approach to reconciliation for 2025.
The Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards are the only national awards program that recognise and celebrate Australian schools and early learning services implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives.
Finalists for the awards were acknowledged for strengthening reconciliation through relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or service, and within the community.
The awards were presented on Thursday 6 November at a ceremony at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra, with Evans Head-Woodburn Preschool announced as the Early Learning Service winner.
Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine congratulated the winners and finalists saying she was uplifted by the outstanding reconciliation work in schools and early learning services across the country.
“This year we saw stories of reconciliation in action in schools and early learning services − reconciliation that is not symbolic or seasonal but systemic and embedded into governance, the curriculum, staffing, culture and community relationships,” Karen said.
‘Stories of exceptional educators, engaged families, and of dedicated Elders and First Nations community members who have developed relationships with schools and early learning services so that children may learn from them and be richer for it.”
Goodstart Shailer Park Centre Director Kristy Morgan was excited to celebrate this acknowledgement and reflected on her centre journey with pride.
“I'm so proud for Shailer Park to be recognised at a national level for our dedication to reconciliation,” Kristy said.
“Working in the reconciliation space has been the most rewarding and humbling experience for me both professionally and personally.”
Goodstart CEO Dr Ros Baxter said its network of more than 650 early learning centres are deeply committed to reconciliation as part of their work to improve child outcomes as they prepare children for school and life.
“At Goodstart, our reconciliation ambition is to ensure the next generation of children grow up with a profound connection to, and understanding of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, people, and Australia’s true history.
“Goodstart is on its third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and second expanded Stretch RAP, and 100 percent of our early learning centres are on their own unique reconciliation journey through Narragunnawali.
“We know early learning has the power to close the gap. Each day, we have the privilege of working with tens of thousands of children and families across Australia – instilling reconciliation at the heart of their learning, while improving child outcomes and ensuring every child, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, is prepared for school and for life.”
“The recognition of Goodstart Shailer Park is so well deserved. They are a team of educators, teachers, and leaders who keep the fire burning for reconciliation – never stopping in their journey of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are thoughtfully woven throughout their service and reflected in their deep, authentic connections with community.”
Goodstart Shailer Park operates with a unique philosophy that values play, nature and First Nations perspectives as three of their guiding values.
Through their reconciliation commitment they have built strong relationships with community and Elders for genuine, reciprocal connections.
Some of the ways they have woven reconciliation include being a part ‘Our Nangara’ a community reconciliation advancement group, bringing opportunities to educators from many organisations such as Yarns for Jajumms and the creation of the Baul Dulgo Dunngunn conference they held for 200 delegates in 2024.
Each year since 2018, they have hosted NAIDOC for Jajumms event for the community which grown from 200 children attending to almost 2,000 in 2024 and 2025.
In 2023, the team placed in the top six early childhood and education centres in Australia in the 2023 Narragunnawali Awards and were the 2025 SER (Southeast Region Department of Education) NAIDOC Showcase Award Winners.
The team hope to continue to go from strength to strength in their journey and look forward to continuing their work with Elders, families and neighbouring organisations.
“We have been truly blessed to forge new relationships and partnerships in community and look forward to what's next,” Kristy said.
Check out the file profiling the work and team of Shailer Park captured by Indigenous production company Wirrim Media here.