Goodstart North Melbourne

Our vision for reconciliation is for our centre at North Melbourne to be respectful whilst acknowledging the unique connections that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the lands, waterways, islands and country on which Early Learning Centres across Australia are situated on, and help to build genuine, respectful relationships with all children and families who attend our centres. We are dedicated to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are actively recognised for being Australia's First Nations people, whilst we are committed to deepening our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and learning. Our focus will always be to develop genuine, respectful, relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and their communities. We seek to embed an awareness of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures into our programs which promote an understanding of diversity and inclusiveness. It is hoped that as a result, a high degree of empathy would develop in the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous members of our community, and that growing desire for reconciliation would be nurtured further. Goodstart North Melbourne values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures and all contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities can make to our centre, as well as the wider community. We aspire to work towards a reconciled future where everyone is acknowledged, respected and involved. By engaging children, families and the wider community, we can work together towards an equal and equitable Australia. To foster reconciliation and respect differences and diversity, both personal and cultural, we all need to work together and form a bond to become an inclusive, accepting community. Reconciliation will be lived and breathing in all we do within Goodstart North Melbourne Centre.