National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is held annually on the 4th of August and is a day of cultural connection and 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.
LIVING OUR TRUTH
The 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day theme is
LIVING OUR TRUTH
honouring the power of truth-telling, the sharing of knowledge across generations and the importance of telling our stories.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, held each year on 4 August since 1988.
The day is led by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak body representing children, young people and families, and is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and celebrate the strength, pride and potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
For 2026, Living Our Truth celebrates the voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.
It recognises the importance of truth-telling as a foundation for identity, belonging and cultural strength, and honours the role of Elders and community in passing knowledge to the next generation.
This year, we celebrate children as the next generation of leaders; confident, proud and ready to carry forward the strong voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
2026 THEME - living our truth
MONDAY 4th AUGUST at BALLARAT LIBRARY Time TBC
Collaborative event for the bababs 0-5, families, parents and carers.
Codesigned by City of Ballarat,
BADAC Connected Beginnings and Bengadak Babap Playgroup team,
Wadawurrung, Elders and local partners.
When: TBC10am - 12pm,
Monday 4th August
Where: Ballarat Library, near BADAC
PROGRAM of DEADLY FACILITATORS and CULTURALLY INFORMED ACTIVITIES COMING SOON
Embedding Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood programs
As Aboriginal peoples in Victoria are on a proud and empowering journey to reclaim culture many non-Aboriginal early childhood practitioners are also on a journey that may intersect with this revitalisation as they embed Aboriginal perspectives in their programs.
Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns is the official podcast from SNAICC – National Voice for our Children dedicated to amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.
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.
2025 THEME: little footsteps, big future
MONDAY 4th AUGUST at BALLARAT LIBRARY
120 Attendees over the course of the event with most facilitators being First Nations people.
Collaborative event for the bababs 0-5, families, parents and carers.
Codesigned by BADAC Connected Beginnings and Bengadak Babap Playgroup team,
City of Ballarat Reconciliation staff member and Parent Place staff with engagement of Wadawurrung E
120 Attendees over the course of the event with most facilitators being First Nations people.
Collaborative event for the bababs 0-5, families, parents and carers.
Codesigned by BADAC Connected Beginnings and Bengadak Babap Playgroup team,
City of Ballarat Reconciliation staff member and Parent Place staff with engagement of Wadawurrung Education Team member, Pitch Makin Fellas Print making, Aunties and local partners such as Art Gallery of Ballarat and
the Yarning Garden.
When: 10am - 12pm, Monday 4th August
Where: Ballarat Library, near BADAC
2024 - at BALLARAT library
PAST EVENT - 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 and displays
- Facepainting with Aunty Leonie
- Weaving Station with Jo Kay
- Parent Place Baby play
PAST EVENT - 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 and displays
- Facepainting with Aunty Leonie
- Weaving Station with Jo Kay
- Parent Place Baby play
- Chill out Quiet zone and cuppa upstairs in the CoLab
12:30 The Moogies move and groove
1pm Yidaki/Didge healing and storytime with UncleA and Tristan Harris
1:30pm WAYAPA Connecting to Country
Gratitude and Final Words with Jane Marini
Around 120 attended this event and enjoyed connecting with special Elders and community members across the afternoon at Ballarat Library. A number of Elders and family groups signed up for Library Membership (FREE LinkedIn Learning, MakerSpace and movie platform access).
2023 - BALLARAT Botanic Garden
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 2023 @ Botanic Gardens
Over 90 children, carers, and educators from Community and play and kinder groups attended this event.
Community Feedback requested a focus on increased attendance and promotion through First Nations networks and consideration of transport options. The Work
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 2023 @ Botanic Gardens
Over 90 children, carers, and educators from Community and play and kinder groups attended this event.
Community Feedback requested a focus on increased attendance and promotion through First Nations networks and consideration of transport options. The Working Group will look at growing relationship between organisations to build trust and respect, increase engagement of Aboriginal Elders and activity station suppliers.
10am Welcome to Country
10:15 am – 12:00 pm
- BADAC hands on activities
- Cultural Tools and Koorie Cultural inclusion with KESO Donna and Rick
- Ballarat Library indigenous books area
- Botanikids activities
- Sensory bushwalks with Lenka
- Parent Place Baby play