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Culture and history embedded in learning: 50 years of Wandarrah

15 June 2023
Children and Schooling
First Nations generational leadership. L-R: Aunty Christine Barney, Aunty Barbara Wharton and Aunty Kerri Rodwell. Photo: Wandarrah Preschool and Community Centre.
Inala community joining in the 50th anniversary celebration. Photo: NIAA.
Former bus drivers and Elders yarn about the Wandarrah bus. L-R: Uncle Terry Knox, Uncle Richard Coolwell, Uncle Gordon Barney and President Aunty Christine Barney. Photo: Wandarrah Preschool and Community Centre.
Aunty Kerri Rodwell, Wandarrah Preschool and Community Centre General Manager. Photo: Wandarrah Preschool and Community Centre.

In 1973 First Nations parents of Inala needed a preschool, so they opened their own.  

Fifty years on, Wandarrah Preschool and Community Centre in Inala, Queensland is celebrating the anniversary of a community organisation which is a source of pride and strength.

 

This is a momentous occasion for the community, who have been advocating and contributing to the Centre since its beginning.

The anniversary drew a large crowd of current, past students, parents and grandparents, with four generations of preschool attendees present. Elders and community organisations, local and federal politicians came to celebrate Wandarrah and its governing philosophy.

‘The Wandarrah philosophy is to provide a safe space for First Nations children and all children, so they can learn the history of our people, by a culture-first approach to education,’ explained Aunty Kerri Rodwell, General Manager of the Centre. 

Like many people in the Inala community, Aunty Kerri’s children and grandchildren attended the Centre.

Aunty Kerri has been on the Wandarrah Committee for 25 years, which directs the Centre’s work and is made-up of current and past parents and Elders.

'The vision of those first Elders and those first parents are the same. We celebrated our Elders and the history of Wandarrah,’ said Aunty Kerri.

The Elders who worked to establish and maintain the Centre continue to guide the Centre today.

‘These Elders are on our committee still and they are so amazing, making sure we are doing the right thing, they give us our direction and our leadership, they support us to grow.’

The anniversary celebrations were a time to express the deep appreciation to the Elders commitment to culture, education and for their hard work and guidance.

It was amazing to see so many Elders reunite together!’ said Aunty Kerri.

The Centre has been a beacon of strength for the community, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn.

‘Our programming incorporates all of the cultural knowledge and days of significance. The children will listen to the reading of the Sorry Day book, the teachers will have conversations about the story, what the children think and feel; linking into the national quality standards and early years learning frameworks.’

‘Our culture and history is embedded in our everyday, we are very lucky that we can do that,’ said Aunty Kerri. 

Happy anniversary to Wandarrah!