In this bonus episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, we’re on Gumbaynggirr Country at Kulai Preschool to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. We're joined by Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung man Otis Hope Carey, acclaimed artist, former pro surfer, proud father of three, and this year’s Children’s Day Ambassador.

Otis reflects on what it means to return to Kulai Preschool, where his early learning began and where his mum, Aunty Julie Carey, has led as Director for nearly three decades. In this yarn, he speaks about the deep personal and cultural ties that have shaped his identity, from early memories of gagaal, to parenting and instilling culture in his children, and telling stories through his distinct, expressive art.

Tune in to hear Otis share what this year’s Children's Day theme, Little Footsteps, Big Futures, means to him, and why culture and creativity are at the heart of helping children grow strong in their identity.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, proud Bunuba, Gija, Karajarri, Yawuru and Miriwoong woman Tovani Cox, Graphic Artist at SNAICC, joins host Michael Lynch on Wurundjeri Country in Narrm for a yarn about creating art and design for children, families and communities, and how art has a part to play in healing and therapy.

Tovani reflects on growing up on Yawuru Country in Broome and the Kimberley, where Country, colour and family shaped who she is today and her art; growing up in a family of artists with their sketchbooks that doubled as storybooks. Now a digital artist and graphic designer at SNAICC, living and working on Wurundjeri Country, she shares how she brings her life, culture and wellbeing into the storytelling of the pieces that go on to shape the visual identity of national plans, strategies and initiatives.

Michael and Tovani discuss how creativity is a strength, not a sidenote, and speak about healing through art, with Tovani explaining how she lets her liyan (spirit) guide her work, and how the support of family and mob keeps her grounded and inspired. They also reflect on the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, on 4 August, as we honour the journeys our children take as they grow, each step guided by culture, community and connection to Country.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In our NAIDOC Week 2025 bonus episode, proud Meuram man Joel Matysek, SNAICC Youth Voice Lead, sits down with host Mandy Taylor to yarn about how SNAICC is creating space for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share their ideas and shape the decisions, policies and programs that affect their lives, now and in the future.

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 and this year’s theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, Joel tunes into the conversation from Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country in Far North Queensland, with Mandy joining from Arrernte Country in Mparntwe. Joel reflects on how powerful the pillars of this year’s theme are—strength, vision and legacy—and how they speak to the next generation's continued growth into strong leadership and building their own legacy.

Together, Joel and Mandy discuss what young people have already identified through Youth Voice; the need for genuine influence in decision-making, stronger support for cultural identity and advocacy skills, and more flexible, accessible ways to be involved and make sure young voices are heard. Joel shares how Youth Voice is building a national structure led by young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—giving them the tools, skills and connections to be leaders, influence decisions, and drive long-term, generational change. They reflect on what young mob across the continent are telling SNAICC, and how those insights are already informing policies, programs and advocacy efforts.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, proud Noongar woman and SNAICC National Workforce Advisor, Miranda Edwards, sits down with this episode's host Michael Lynch on Wurundjeri Country in Narrm for a yarn about the strength of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood education and care workforce.

Miranda reflects on her journey from secondary school teacher to the leader of one of the most respected Aboriginal-led early childhood centres, Lulla's Children and Family Centre on Yorta Yorta and Bangerang Country. She talks about the beginnings of Lulla's, the struggles services face with funding, the importance of culturally safe educational spaces, and what it means to support Aboriginal children to be school-ready from birth. Together, the two discuss how proper recognition and funding for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and community-led services mean that great things happen.

Miranda talks about the cultural knowledge and love of the job that educators bring to services and the long-overdue recognition that educators deserve. She unpacks the ECEC Workforce Retention Grant, which was announced in December 2024 and provides a 15% wage increase over two years to educators, and the role that SNAICC plays in assisting services across the continent in navigating the process—from eligibility to application—and the importance of applying by June 30, 2025. She discusses how SNAICC is assisting Aboriginal-led services with guidance on the wage increase to ensure educators are valued and retained—because, as she puts it, the workforce deserves it.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In this post-election episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, Mandy Taylor has an in-person conversation with SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle on the lands of the Wurundjeri people in Narrm. Against the backdrop of the federal election, Mandy and Catherine share candid insights about the emotional toll of the federal election period and the unexpected optimism that has emerged from election night.

Together, they discuss the implications of the re-elected Labor Government's commitments to Closing the Gap, the importance of keeping children safe and connected to culture and the role of early childhood education in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive in culture. Catherine shares personal anecdotes about how the election narrative affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities, as well as where the next steps will take us, particularly in prioritising Safe and Supported policies and commitments to keeping children safe in their own homes and stopping the flow of children into child detention and out-of-home care.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In the inaugural episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, sits down with Mandy Taylor, Executive Director, to discuss the work SNAICC is doing to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. They speak on the organisation's history and its focus on policy, service delivery and programs that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.

With the Federal Election 2025 just around the corner, the conversation shifts to the importance of bipartisan support in closing the gap and addressing the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Catherine and Mandy speak on the need for politicians to stop using Aboriginal children as political footballs and, instead, commit to long-term, community-led solutions that truly strengthen families and communities.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.