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.
2026 THEME - living our truth
TUESDAY 4th AUGUST at BALLARAT LIBRARY
TUESDAY 4th AUGUST at BALLARAT LIBRARY
Collaborative event for little ones 0-6, families, parents and carers.
Codesigned by Elders, City of Ballarat ACLO, BADAC Connected Beginnings and Bengadak Babap Playgroup teams,
Parent Place, Libraries and
Wadawurrung and local partners.
Guided by Community
PROGRAM of DEADLY FACILITATORS and CULTURALLY INFORMED ACTIVITIES includes
PrintMak
Collaborative event for little ones 0-6, families, parents and carers.
Codesigned by Elders, City of Ballarat ACLO, BADAC Connected Beginnings and Bengadak Babap Playgroup teams,
Parent Place, Libraries and
Wadawurrung and local partners.
Guided by Community
PROGRAM of DEADLY FACILITATORS and CULTURALLY INFORMED ACTIVITIES includes
PrintMaking art fun
Chill out area
Face painting with Aunty Leonie Harris and deadly volunteer high school students from BHS and Loreto
Native Meadowland planting with
Wadawurrung Rangers
Clay Craft and Echidna and Nature Art
String Making
Story time and Balance and Play
Tyron's Native wildlife encounters
Open play spaces and MCH supports
Grampians Community Ambulance Fun
Contact - 0407921222
Over 90 attended with 54 of those being little ones and youth volunteers across the event from 10am - 12pm, Tuesday 4th August
Where: Ballarat Library, near BADAC and GovHub not far from the Ballarat Train Station.
178 Doveton St Nth, Ballarat Central
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.
These early learning, primary and secondary curriculum resources help you build practical activities and lessons. They promote reconciliation and develop children’s and students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. Each resource has elements of the Early Years Learning Framework an
These early learning, primary and secondary curriculum resources help you build practical activities and lessons. They promote reconciliation and develop children’s and students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. Each resource has elements of the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum, and aligns with Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions. Use them as-is or adapt them to suit your local community and setting.
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
The 2025 event hosted around 120 Attendees over the 2hour session that was open to the public with most facilitators being
First Nations people.
This collaborative event for the bababs 0-5, families, parents and carers has grown to be an inclusive event that has a focus on access and Cultural safety for First Peoples.
Codesigned by BADAC
The 2025 event hosted around 120 Attendees over the 2hour session that was open to the public with most facilitators being
First Nations people.
This collaborative event for the bababs 0-5, families, parents and carers has grown to be an inclusive event that has a focus on access and Cultural safety for First Peoples.
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,
the Yarning Garden and Ballarat Library team members.
When: 10am - 12pm, Monday 4th August
Where: Ballarat Library
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 library displays
- Facepainting with Aunty Leonie
- Weaving Station with Jo Kay
- Parent Place Baby play
- Chill out Quiet zone and cuppa upstairs in t
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 library 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 Uncle AL and Tristan Harris
1:30pm WAYAPA Connecting to Country
Gratitude and Final Words with Jane Marini
Around 100 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 clay activity
- 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