National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is held annually on the 4th August and is a day of celebration. The City of Ballarat is an Associate Member of SNAICC the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, which provides a platform for members to have a stronger voice in influencing legislation, policy and practice to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
2025 - little footsteps big future
MONDAY 4th AUGUST at BALLARAT LIBRARY 10am - 12noon
Collaborative event for the bababs 0-5, families, parents and carers.
Codesigned by BADAC Connected Beginnings and Bengadak Babap Playgroup team,
City of Ballarat, Wadawurrung, Aunties and local partners.
When: 10am - 12pm, Monday 4th August
Where: Ballarat Library, near BADAC
PROGRAM of DEADLY FACILITATORS and CULTURALLY INFORMED ACTIVITIES COMING SOON
Indigenous cultural consultants Dana Shen and Shirley Young explore practices that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and families’ wellbeing during the first 2,000 days.
Listen in on the cultural considerations that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the early years, and consider the barriers an
Indigenous cultural consultants Dana Shen and Shirley Young explore practices that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and families’ wellbeing during the first 2,000 days.
Listen in on the cultural considerations that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the early years, and consider the barriers and opportunities for non-Indigenous practitioners in providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. They explore social and emotional wellbeing and strengths-based approaches, which recognise the resilience of individuals and communities. These approaches honour the abilities, knowledge and capacities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through lived and living experience, rather than taking a deficits-based focus on what people do not know or cannot do.
HEALING FOUNDATION WEBINAR-Related content to be informed by
The National Sorry Day 2025 Webinar is a time to reflect, learn, and stand in solidarity with Stolen Generation Survivors. Each year, 26 May marks National Sorry Day, acknowledging the Stolen Generations — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families between the mid-1800s and 1980s.
Sorry Day 2025 ma
The National Sorry Day 2025 Webinar is a time to reflect, learn, and stand in solidarity with Stolen Generation Survivors. Each year, 26 May marks National Sorry Day, acknowledging the Stolen Generations — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families between the mid-1800s and 1980s.
Sorry Day 2025 marks 28 years since the Bringing them home report was tabled in Parliament — a powerful truth-telling moment that called for justice. The Healing Foundation report released earlier this year – Are you waiting for us to die? The unfinished business of Bringing them home – found only 6% of the Bringing them home report recommendations have been clearly implemented Many of the survivors who shared their stories to the Bringing them home inquiry are no longer with us, because it was a whole generation ago.
Those who remain are ageing and still waiting for real action. This year the message is clear: We cannot wait another generation to act on the priority Bringing them home recommendations in 2025. A special thanks goes to our esteemed guests, Stolen Generations survivors Ian Hamm (Yorta Yorta) and Aunty Yvonne Mills (Kokatha/Mirning) from The Healing Foundation’s Stolen Generations Reference Group, along with The Healing Foundation’s CEO, Shannan Dodson (Yawuru), for their valuable insights. Together let’s honour truth, support healing, and commit to meaningful change.
2024 - at BALLARAT library
12noon Welcome to Country with Aunty Joy and Jenna Oldakker
12:15 Pm – 2:00 Pm
- Cultural Tools and Koorie Cultural inclusion with KESOs Donna & Indya
- Deadly Indigenous books area
- Plant story seed bags to take home
- Facepainting with Aunty Leonie
- Weaving Station with Jo Kay
- Parent Place Baby play
- Chill out /Possum skin play
12:30 The Moogies
12noon Welcome to Country with Aunty Joy and Jenna Oldakker
12:15 Pm – 2:00 Pm
- Cultural Tools and Koorie Cultural inclusion with KESOs Donna & Indya
- Deadly Indigenous books area
- Plant story seed bags to take home
- Facepainting with Aunty Leonie
- Weaving Station with Jo Kay
- Parent Place Baby play
- Chill out /Possum skin play
12:30 The Moogies move and groove
1pm Stories and Didge time with UncleA and Tristan Harris
1:30pm WAYAPA Connecting to Country
Gratitude and Final Words
Lots of mob signed up for FREE Library Membership (LinkedIn Learning, MakerSpace and movie platform access). Around 120 attended this event and enjoyed connecting with special Elders and community members across the afternoon at Ballarat Library
2023 - BALLARAT Botanic Garden
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 2023
10am Welcome to Country
10:15 Pm – 12:00 Pm
- BADAC hands on activities
- Cultural Tools and Koorie Cultural inclusion with KESO Donna and team
- Deadly Indigenous books area
- Botanikids activities
- Sensory bushwalks with Lenka
- Parent Place Baby play
Over 90 children, carers, and educ
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 2023
10am Welcome to Country
10:15 Pm – 12:00 Pm
- BADAC hands on activities
- Cultural Tools and Koorie Cultural inclusion with KESO Donna and team
- Deadly Indigenous books area
- Botanikids activities
- Sensory bushwalks with Lenka
- Parent Place Baby play
Over 90 children, carers, and educators from Community and play and kinder groups attended this lovely event @ Ballarat Botanic Gardens