In the Early Learning Centre (ELC), the youngest children are immersed in an engaging and hands-on project, guided by Aunty B, a respected Wiradjuri artist and cultural educator. Using Play-Doh, gum nuts and native Australian plants, Aunty B is helping the children connect with ancient stories in a way that’s both tactile and deeply meaningful. This project is more than just play—it’s an introduction to First Nations cultures and an early step toward fostering understanding and reconciliation within the school community.
Here’s what they’ve been working on…
Aunty B hails from Wiradjuri country in New South Wales. She has become a cherished presence in Early Learning, known affectionately as ‘Aunty B’ rather than ‘Miss’ or ‘Teacher.’ “I don’t come across as a teacher. It’s about building up relationships and then teaching them from another level, a level of understanding what I’m doing as an educator. In this environment, I won’t take the ‘Miss’. It’s not my culture,” she explains. Her approach emphasises the importance of relationships and community in teaching—a core principle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
This hands-on project is also part of Aunty B’s broader mission—closing the cultural gap that persists in many educational settings. “I’m trying to un-educate a lot of people and re-educate a lot of people to give them a better view and also put our culture and art on better platforms,” she says. For Aunty B, working with the Early Learning students is an opportunity to address the misunderstandings and gaps in knowledge that still exist in society, “That’s what I’m trying to do—close the gap for somebody who’s following in my footsteps. That’s what I’m trying to do, especially for my kids.”
The impact of Aunty B’s work is evident in the way the children respond to the project. As they mould Play-Doh and arrange natural materials, they are not just engaging in play—they are connecting with a cultural legacy that spans thousands of years. The significance of this work is clear to Aunty B, who sees these activities as more than just classroom projects, “It’s building relationships. It’s also when I see students which I had two or three years ago still come up to me and say, ‘Oh hi Aunty B’—still remember my name, still remember my face,” she says. This ongoing connection is a testament to the lasting impact of her work.
Through this project in Early Learning, Aunty B is helping to lay the foundation for a deeper connection between the youngest students and the cultural traditions they are beginning to explore. In every small creation, there is a story, a piece of history, and a bridge to a more inclusive future. Aunty B’s work is a powerful reminder that education is not just about imparting knowledge, but about building understanding and respect across cultures from the very beginning.