Tom is dad to Dylan and Ophelia who both attend ANSTO Children’s Centre, managed by KU and located at Lucas Heights in Sydney’s southern suburbs. Dylan, a couple of years older than his sister, took part in a program at the service that is reviving the traditional local language.
What was the program you were introduced to?
My son Dylan is in the preschool room at ANSTO. In 2022, we were introduced to the Dharawal Language Program* by the educators.
Living and working in the Sutherland Shire, I was aware of being on Dharawal lands, but I was not aware of specific cultural practices or languages of the Dharawal Peoples.
How did Dylan respond to the program?
It was great to see Dylan so excited about what he had learned as part of the program. And it’s been wonderful learning the songs about different body parts in Dharawal words along with all the other words for everyday things around us that Dylan has brought home with him.
How has being involved in the program impacted your family?
I really appreciate that our children get this opportunity to be learning about our local Indigenous culture and Country, especially as my partner and I are immigrants from Europe and do not have the history of learning about these things in our backgrounds.
We are looking forward to Ophelia’s participation in the program when she joins the preschool room!
*ANSTO Children’s Centre, KU Heathcote Preschool and KU Sutherland Preschool have partnered with the Gujaga Foundation to deliver the Dharawal Language Program. The program is funded through generous donations to the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation.