BADAC becomes first ACCO early years manager

BALLARAT and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) has been named as the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) to become an Early Years Management authority in Victoria.

BADAC will provide centralised support to kindergartens’ business, compliance and operational requirements so staff can focus on supporting children.

BADAC oversees kindergartens at Perridak Burron in Brown Hill, Yirram Burron in Sebastopol and Yaluk Burron in Ballan, to provide culturally inclusive learning.

“We are very proud of the early years centres that we have established and the growth within the community over the past five years,” BADAC CEO Karen Heap said.

“Becoming the first ACCO EYM enables us to guide, support and inspire other ACCOs across the state, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children are supported in early years education.”

The State Government has allocated $5.3 million to ACCOs from 2026 to help them oversee kindergartens.

More than 3700 First Nations children enrolled in three and four-year-old kindergarten programs in 2024.

“BADAC is deeply respected in Ballarat for supporting families and children, and this new role will mean even more local families can benefit from their culturally safe kinder programs,” Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said.