Early years centres take state award

AN early learning service provider has been recognised as one of the best with a top spot in the 2023 Victorian Early Years Awards.

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative’s Yirram Burron and Perridak Burron Early Learning centres won the inaugural Aunty Rose Bamblett Koorie Early Years Legacy Award.

Named after Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman Aunty Rose Bamblett, who spent four decades in Indigenous childcare, the award acknowledges services with a focus on Aboriginal perspectives and inclusion.

Perridak Burron centre director Kayla Cartledge said it was a celebration of the team’s effort.

“We’ve worked really hard since we opened,” she said. “Our team is passionate and it’s great to be acknowledged.

“It’s been fantastic to see the growth and learning both myself and the team has had.”

With 10 category winners and 16 finalists, the awards were presented by Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn, during a presentation in Melbourne recently.

Each winner received $15,000, which Ms Cartledge said will be well-used.

“It’ll go towards maybe some training and resources for our carers and children to balance out things across both services,” she said.

Perridak Burron was established in Brown Hill in January 2021, and is able to accommodate up to 100 children each day, with ages ranging from six weeks to four years old.

Yirram Burron in Sebastopol opened its doors in February last year and is licensed for 22 sessional kindergarten spots as well as 16 children for long day care service.

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, visited the Brown Hill site on Tuesday morning to congratulate the team and tour the facility.

She said the award is a major acknowledgement of the work being done to give local children a connection to country.

“This inaugural award recognises the commitment to Indigenous culture and I’m incredibly proud that that’s been given to BADAC for their two centres in Ballarat,” she said.

“To have their service recognised statewide is wonderful. In terms of the importance of these kinders, for me, it’s about understanding we’re blessed to live on the lands of the oldest continuing culture.

“I want our children to grow up proud of that history and culture and that’s what happens here.”

The service is set to expand with a Ballan centre called Yaluk Burron, meaning “river children.