28/08/2026
🌿 Learn, Play, Thrive Conference 2026 🌿
Day 1 began with cultural immersion on Country — reigniting our “why” at Boundary Rock with Knowledge Holder Kaliela.
Sitting on Country, listening to Kaliela’s stories, knowledge and perspectives, and taking the time to slow down, listen and reflect, gave me a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our own journey at Goodstart Calala and the impact we create every day through our commitment, relationships and practices.
It reminded me just how important our role is in keeping local Gamilaraay language alive — embedding culture, language and connection to Country into our everyday practice and creating meaningful opportunities for children to learn, hear and experience culture from the very beginning. ❤️
It was a powerful reminder that the work we do in ECE reaches far beyond the classroom. The everyday decisions we make, the words we use, the stories we share and the relationships we build can all contribute to keeping culture and language strong for future generations.
We then had a wonderful tour through the Botanical Gardens, exploring local traditions and deepening our knowledge and understanding of the Country we are privileged to learn and work on. 🌱
Day 2 brought a wealth of inspiration and practical ideas.
💛 Building children’s resilience: giving children the tips, tools and strategies they need to navigate and learn through their early childhood years.
🔬 All things STEAM : a wonderful reminder that teaching, learning and staying curious may be one of our greatest strategies in a world where technology is constantly evolving.
📚 Storytelling: exploring the power of props, imagination and creativity to bring stories to life.
🎨 Immersing ourselves in play with clay : creating, experimenting and embracing the process rather than the product.
🔊 Soundscapes.. what’s in your surround? Maaya-li Dhawun Creations - Aboriginal Artist