"We thank the Traditional Owners for the land on which we learn and play."
Across our centres, these words are often where a child's journey of understanding begins. Through stories, songs, shared experiences, and daily Acknowledgements of Country, children are introduced to the rich cultures and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, learning to respect the Traditional Owners of the land on which they live, learn, and play.
NAIDOC Week is a meaningful time to recognise the individual and collective efforts of our centres on their reconciliation journeys. This year, that recognition took a particularly special form.
This Year's Theme - 50 Years of Deadly
This year's NAIDOC Week theme celebrates the strength, resilience, and activism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across five decades, and it resonates deeply across our network.
Learn more about NAIDOC Week here.
On 1 July, members of the Affinity executive team including CEO Glen Hurley came together at Kids Academy Glenmore Park for NAIDOC Week. The centre stands on the traditional lands of the Dharug people, and Centre Manager Jessie Klaassen and her team have meaningfully embedded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into their daily programming, reflections, and activities for children. The centre has a published Reconciliation Action Plan and regularly engages with local Elders.
The Gift of the 'Garuuja' Whale Song
A highlight of the day was the gift of ‘Garuuja’ - a Whale Song created especially for Affinity Education Group by Aboriginal Elder Uncle Tim Gray, a Gumbayngirr, Wiradjuri and Bidjigal man.
Uncle Tim explained: “Whale songs like ‘Garuuja’ represent kinship, spirituality and are linked to ancient ‘Songlines,’ which are dreaming paths that navigate the coastline. These songs and stories are used to ‘sing up’ whales along the coast to ensure safe travel for Mothers and calves, map migratory routes and connect coastal communities.”
The song will soon be available on Affinity’s YouTube channel, giving centres across Australia the opportunity to incorporate it into their programs and share it with children in an authentic and meaningful way.
“This Whale Song is a special gift to our centres and families,” said CEO Glen Hurley. “It brings culture, storytelling and learning together in a way that will resonate with children across the country.”
Alongside the Whale Song, the Wandana Aboriginal Education team also presented Affinity Education Group with an original painting - The Journey of an Artist and a Humpback Whale - created by Aboriginal artist Leeanne Hunter, a freshwater woman from the inland river country of Central West New South Wales. Begun in 2003, the painting reflects community, responsibility, and the ways our lives are woven together across land, water, and generations. Together, these two gifts - song and artwork, story and image - speak to the depth of the partnership Affinity and Wandana have built over many years.
Walking on Dharug Country
Among the most meaningful experiences of the day, Chief People Officer Tracey Mackie and Education Project Advisor Jessica Mitchell were granted special permission to walk on Dharug Country, an honour that speaks to the depth of trust at the heart of our partnership with Wandana Aboriginal Education.
Together, they followed a storytelling journey across Country, travelling on foot until they reached the rocks, where they sat together for a yarn, sharing stories, listening, and connecting with place in the way that has been done on this land for generations.
The journey continued with a native plant tour, where Jess and Tracey had the opportunity to learn about and try a variety of medicinal plants, a reminder of the deep knowledge systems that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have held and passed down across tens of thousands of years.
Our Partnership with Wandana Aboriginal Education
An important foundation of our reconciliation journey is our long-term partnership with Wandana Aboriginal Education. Integrated into our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, Wandana provides culturally authentic resources - education kits, online programs, professional development, and rich Aboriginal experiences - for centres nationwide. The partnership ensures our educators feel confident and supported to create culturally safe, responsive and inclusive environments for children and community.
The impact continues to grow. In 2026 alone:
- More than 40 centres have completed Wandana's online Making Artefacts program
- 49 centres have completed the teacher professional development program, with 100 more currently undertaking it as part of their 2026 professional development
- The Affinity & Wandana Early Learning Program is now established or underway in more than 170 centres, with 45 centres already completing the program this year
"These milestones reflect the genuine commitment of our teams right across Australia. Reconciliation is not a single moment in time - it's an ongoing learning journey, and we're proud of the progress our centres are making together," said CEO Glen Hurley.
Building Understanding from the Earliest Years
When children are given the opportunity to learn from First Nations cultures early in life, those experiences lay a foundation of respect, understanding and connection that stays with them. These initiatives - from daily Acknowledgements of Country to culturally authentic learning programs - reflect our continued commitment to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everyday learning across our network.
More Photos from the Day
Photos courtesy of Wandana Aboriginal Education.
