The Learning Cottage Wollongbar

The Learning Cottage Wollongbar and its educators are determined to continue to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, especially those of the local community, and respectfully embed this knowledge into our service, programs and operations. We believe that, in this way, we can impart this learning and understanding to the children in our care in a more respectful, genuine and substantial way.

Our vision for reconciliation embraces and fosters unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians, while celebrating a national culture that represents equality and equity and acknowledges our shared history.

We  continue to engage with the local Bundjalung community and  Elders and build on our reciprocal relationships,  to continue to respectfully embed Bundjalung language and cultural ways within our service for the learning of the children in our care now, and for those who follow them in the future.

We want reconciliation to live in the hearts, minds, and actions of the children in our care, our educators, and our wider community. We feel that, in doing this, we contribute to the collaborative narrative and reality of reconciliation throughout Australia and hope to empower our future leaders with a commitment to reconciliation, inclusion and social justice.

We work towards fulfilling these commitments in respectful, genuine, and meaningful ways. We recognise the diverse and dynamic nature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ deep connections with lands, waters and communities.

We acknowledge the RAP is a continual process and we add to it and grow individually, as a team and as an organisation. As relationships are formed, and as more knowledge is gained, our road to reconciliation continues to evolve over time.