Recently, our centre had the privilege of welcoming Uncle Ian Hunter (Warrend-Badj), a respected Wurundjeri Elder and cultural leader at Bridge Road ELC.
His visit provided a powerful opportunity for our children to engage with Indigenous culture in an authentic and meaningful way.
Who is Uncle Ian?
As a direct descendant of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people, Uncle Ian has been a central figure in helping children, students, and families learn about Aboriginal culture through storytelling, teaching, and community engagement.
He’s committed to sharing his knowledge through Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies, helping visitors and community members understand the importance of Country, culture, and connection.
Uncle Ian is also a strong voice for the recognition and protection of Wurundjeri heritage across Naarom (Melbourne and the wider region). His work in cultural education, reconciliation, and community events such as NAIDOC Week has been essential to strengthening our understanding and respect for First Nations heritage.
A Day of Learning and Reflection
Uncle Ian’s visit was a day filled with hands-on experiences. Children were invited to craft their own paper boomerangs, learning about this significant tool while expressing their creativity.
They also listened closely to the rhythmic sounds of the didgeridoo, discovering how Uncle Ian uses music to represent different Australian animals. Using clapsticks, the children explored rhythm and movement together, enjoying the shared experience of music and storytelling.
One of the most memorable moments of the day was the Smoking Ceremony. Children were invited to participate in a respectful, guided way, and later expressed how the smoke “felt special” and made the space “clean and calm.”
Our Reflections and Learning Outcomes
Throughout the experience, we were extremely proud of our children. They showed a great amount of respect and curiosity. Children engaged thoughtfully, listened attentively, and asked questions with childlike authenticity.
Our educators consistently build on this experience in our daily curriculum. Children continue to explore First Nations culture through Acknowledgement of Country, the use of local Woiwurrung language, yarning circles, First Nations storybooks, and the inclusion of native plants within our environment.
Our very own centre names embody this culture, with learning spaces named in the local Woiwurrung language, such as our Kurnbrook room (meaning “flower”). Our programs are also aligned with national initiatives such as Narragunnawali, supporting our ongoing reconciliation journey.
Another special example of extending this learning is our “Borrow Biik” program. Biik (meaning “a pleasant place” in Woiwurrung) is our Kindergarten mascot platypus. Families take Biik home on weekends and document its experiences through photos, drawings, and storie
A Message for Families
At Bridge Road Early Learning Centre, Indigenous perspectives are a valued and everyday part of our children’s learning. This is important because it helps children develop respect, belonging, and understanding of Australia’s First Nations cultures from an early age.
Through ongoing relationships with local Wurundjeri Elders like Uncle Ian, we nurture these skills in authentic, meaningful ways. We hope that these efforts allow Indigenous children to see their identities valued, and for other children to grow and challenge stereotypes, while cultivating empathy.
Uncle Ian currently joins our Bush Kinder program once a term, sharing knowledge about the Yarra River, local animals, and the natural environment. If you’re looking for an inclusive, respectful environment where your child can learn to build stronger connections with their community, contact our friendly staff today.
