KU Marcia Burgess Foundation: Making the KU Difference Even Greater
KU Alumni Connect Spring 2023 Edition
Offering opportunities for all children to reach their full potential
The support KU Marcia Burgess Foundation can offer through generous donations makes this a reality for many families who simply cannot afford the cost of a health assessment for their children with additional needs.
The difference a diagnosis makes for the child, their family and KU educators, means that strategies can be better informed for education and socialisation to achieve individual learning and development goals. An assessment also determines if a child can qualify for NDIS.
The KU Marcia Burgess Foundation proudly supports children with neurodiverse needs who are from financially disadvantaged financial families, to access allied health assessments and therapy. This is a relatively new program but has already provided seven Speech and Language assessments, three Occupational Therapy assessments, and 12 Speech and Language therapy sessions.
Celebrating a significant occasion in Wagga Wagga
An official unveiling of a community art mural was held at KU Ashmont Preschool and Family Centre, Wagga Wagga on 1 June 2023.
Starting with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Joycelan Williams, around 30 people attended to see the locally inspired artwork and to hear from local Wiradjuri Artist, Terrie O’Brien and KU Ashmont Director, Eileen Bach. The event received media coverage on Prime News (Channel 7) and an article in The Sector!
“It was very collaborative. The children were involved in the whole process. They helped do handprints on the painting and they all contributed doing their own little drawings. It was amazing.
“It helps me to connect to my culture and be able to share that with the children is really important to me. It’s all about teaching the young ones about Yindyamarra more than anything. Embracing that and taking that with them onto their next level of learning.” – said Terrie O’Brien.
Yindyamarra means Respect in Wiradjuri language, to go slowly, with honour, and responsibility.
Terrie worked closely with the children from KU Ashmont, their families, and the local Aboriginal community. The artwork was also adapted and featured on polo shirts for the children and staff.
“We were so proud to unveil the beautiful and symbolic mural at our service, and to celebrate this special occasion with our close-knit community, especially as ‘connection’ is the theme of the mural,” – said Eileen Bach.
KU Marcia Burgess Foundation received a $10,000 community grant from the CommBank Staff Foundation for the project. Cherylanne Williams, KU General Manager of Early Childhood Education attended alongside Wiradjuri Elders and community members, Mayor Dallas Tout, CommBank representatives, KU families and staff.
Children, families and educators embracing Aboriginal Languages Programs
KU Marcia Burgess Foundation was delighted to support extension of the Dharawal Early Language Program to KU Peter Pan La Perouse in July 2023, continue at KU Sutherland and KU Heathcote, and hear the news that ANSTO has agreed to cover costs for the program at KU ANSTO Preschool.
“I visited KU Peter Pan soon after the Dharawal Language program started. I was amazed children were speaking language to introduce themselves, that they remembered Dharawal words from the week before and were totally excited to learn new words about their body from head to toe.” Barbara Smith, Fundraising Manager, KU Marcia Burgess Foundation.
“Taking part in the Dharawal Language Program has introduced children and educators to an aspect of local culture that we did not have access to before being part of the program. The children are really interested in living creatures, especially those that live on this land or native to our area.” KU ANSTO
“Children have developed a stronger connection with nature and view the natural environment through a new lens. This program has supported us in finding meaningful ways to acknowledge and pay our respects.” KU Sutherland
“We established a Dharawal Language board in our art space to share our learnings and use the words in our everyday program. We shared Dharawal words through Storypark and encouraged families to download the Dharawal language and culture app.” KU Heathcote
In Wagga Wagga, the Wiradjuri Language Program has been extended to KU Kookaburra and KU Koala, with a community grant from the CommBank Staff Foundation. The language program is also being delivered by the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group at KU Kangaroo, KU Kingfisher and KU Ashmont.
“Wiradjuri language educator has introduced the children to the names of some of the most common Australian animals, shared dreamtime stories about these animals, and shown the children symbols for these animal’s tracks. When we read stories, the children remind us of all of the Wiradjuri words for the various animals.” KU Kookaburra.
