Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, Nadia Currie (Acting Director, Sector Engagement & Innovation) and Sid Williams (Acting Manager, ACCO Transformation) sit down for a yarn about ACCO transformation, diving into what it really means, and what it looks like in practice. Through this yarn, Nadia and Sid unpack the shift towards Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations leading the design and delivery of services, and why this approach is so important for children, families and communities. It’s a conversation that moves beyond policy language and into lived experience, centring community, connection to Country and the value of working in genuine partnership. Together, they reflect on what’s been learned so far, the challenges that still exist, and the importance of continuing to listen, adapt and walk alongside community in this work. Because ACCO transformation isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about creating the right conditions for communities to lead. At its heart, this episode is a reminder that we already know what works. The focus now is on backing that knowledge with trust, resources and long-term commitment. 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, Eastern Arrernte and Gurindji woman and SNAICC Communications Coordinator, Dakoda Lally, joins host Michael Lynch for a powerful yarn about storytelling, social media and why our stories matter more than ever. Dialling in from Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Dakoda reflects on the power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling, reminding us that we are the original storytellers of this Country. She unpacks how social media can be a tool for amplifying strength-based narratives, shifting deficit discourse and showcasing the incredible work happening across the ACCO and early childhood sector.Together, they explore practical, accessible strategies for organisations wanting to strengthen their online presence in 2026, from yearly content planning and working month-by-month, to understanding the personality of each platform. Is Facebook the loose uncle at Christmas? Is Instagram the cool cousin? Is LinkedIn the polished entrepreneur? Dakoda breaks down how each space requires a different approach and why short-form vertical video is here to stay.Whether you’re new to social media or looking to refine your strategy, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply have a yarn and press record.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 milestone 10th episode of Kids, Culture, Community — SNAICC Yarns, host and SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle sits down with SNAICC Executive Director Mandy Taylor on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm for a reflective and forward-looking yarn. Together, they look back on the transformative year that was 2025, exploring its successes, lessons and challenges, and share their vision for 2026. Catherine and Mandy discuss the 10th anniversary of the Family Matters report, the historic SNAICC’25 conference and the critical reforms that are reshaping how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families are supported across the country. They explore the urgent need to shift investment from crisis response to prevention, the strength of community-controlled services, and the power of storytelling to drive systemic change. This episode also  celebrates the full establishment of SNAICC’s Youth Voice initiative, the removal of the childcare activity test and  the landmark appointment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children; a key accountability mechanism long advocated for by SNAICC and the sector. Catherine and Mandy share personal highlights from the year, including the joy of Children’s Day and the inspiring voices of young people, reflecting on what it means to carry  the work of SNAICC forward with hope, determination and unity. As we step into 2026, this yarn is a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much further we can go when we listen to, invest in, and celebrate our children, 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. 

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, Michael speaks with Meriam man Richard Weston, CEO of Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation, about the findings of the 2025 Family Matters Report and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led solutions that work to ensure children grow up safe, cared for and connected to family and culture. Richard shares the hard truths from a decade of data, which show that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be disproportionately represented in all stages of Australia's child protection systems. He explains how the current child protection system prioritises crisis intervention over early family support and how removal perpetuates a cycle of harm and trauma. For over 30 years, Maari Ma in Far West NSW has proven a better way. Richard explains the organisation’s integrated, early intervention model that wraps health, family support and deep cultural connection around families. This holistic approach builds strength, keeps children safe at home and actively prevents contact with statutory systems. He shares powerful stories from the ground, like an example of a three-year-old girl who spoke of her heart and spirit in Barkanji language, embodying the cultural pride this model nurtures. The core message from Richard is clear: to fix the system, governments must stop investing in removal and start investing in proven, community-controlled services that keep children connected to their families, culture and Country. Content Warning: This episode discusses child removal and trauma. For 24/7 crisis support, call 13YARN (13 92 76). 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 inspiring episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, we sit down with two legendary Elders, Aunty Norma Ingram and Aunty Margret Campbell. Hosted by Narelda Jacobs, this conversation takes us back to Redfern in 1973, to Sheppard Street where Aunty Norma, Aunty Margret, and a group of determined Aboriginal mothers created Murawina, the first fully Aboriginal-run preschool in Australia. With no funding, no toys, and facing a system against them, they built a movement from the ground up. They share how they broke rules to develop their own curriculum rooted in Country, even if that meant taking busloads of children to the park to find the trees. They yarn about the strategic humour that became a tool for survival and resistance, the fight against colonisation and the ongoing battle to have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems valued in education. This is a story of care, intergenerational strength, and belief that passing culture and belonging to our children is the ultimate act of love. Aunty Norma and Aunty Margaret’s legacy is a masterclass in community-led change, reminding us that the answers have always been with community. 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. 

Recorded live on the main stage at SNAICC’25 in Meanjin/Brisbane, this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns takes you to a conversation about what must change to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families. Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, and Boon Wurrung Elder Aunty Muriel Bamblett (VACCA CEO and SNAICC Chairperson) convenes a panel of commissioners and guardians from across the country to discuss the safety, wellbeing and justice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Joining Aunty Muriel are Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter (National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People), Dale Agius (South Australia’s Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People), Natalie Lewis (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner), Jacqueline McGowan-Jones (WA Commissioner for Children and Young People), Shahleena Musk (NT Children’s Commissioner) and Shona Reid (SA Guardian for Children and Young People). Commissioners and Guardians are independent voices who champion and advocate for children’s rights and hold systems to account. In this episode, they bring a human rights and accountability lens to the discussion on the continued over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care and youth justice systems. Together, they discuss the priorities for reform and what real change looks like for the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, 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. 

In this episode of Kids, Culture, and Community – SNAICC Yarns, we take you right to the main stage of the SNAICC'25 Conference for the Youth Voice plenary.Join Meuram man Joel Matysek, SNAICC’s Youth Voice lead, and Youth Advisory Group members Samuel Dela Bon, Rylie Cadd, Kasey Kopp and Jaharn Mundy Drazevich as they yarn about the work of establishing a formal youth structure within SNAICC. Listen as the panel shares what makes them deadly and dives into the motivations behind creating the Youth Advisory Group. They discuss the eight-month co-design journey from nationwide consultations to their key principle of not duplicating existing community efforts but building from them. The group reflects on the importance of creating culturally safe, flexible spaces where young people are the experts in their own lives and can influence the policies that affect them. Hear their personal stories of navigating the anxieties and triumphs of leadership, the importance of collaboration, and the need for an ‘ecosystem approach’ that amplifies voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth from urban, regional, and remote communities. This conversation is an inspiring testament to the power of youth voice, cultural identity, and the responsibility of organisations to listen, support and act.Watch the full episode on YouTube 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, we celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day — a national day that honours the rich stories, cultures, and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, Strength in Our Stories – For Now and Future Generations, is a reminder that languages and cultures are alive, strong and thriving, and that sharing language and stories with children and adults across Australia helps ensure they continue for generations to come.Eastern Arrernte and Gurindji woman Dakoda Lally hosts this special episode, reading I Saw We Saw — a beautiful book created by Yolŋu students at Nhulunbuy Primary School in North East Arnhem Land. Developed through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Community Publishing Program, the story was crafted in both English and Dhaŋu, a Yolŋu Matha language, with guidance from Yolŋu Elders and support from Ann James and Ann Haddon. With its vibrant illustrations and bilingual storytelling, I Saw We Saw opens a window into Yolŋu Country and culture through the eyes of children.Dakoda also reflects on the significance of Indigenous Literacy Day, held each year on the first Wednesday of September — a day of listening, learning and celebrating the incredible diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and stories.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, SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle is on Gumbaynggirr Country on location at Kulai Preschool, where the community has gathered to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day on 4 August. Catherine sits down with Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman Aunty Julie Carey, who has been the Director of Kulai Preschool for over 30 years, and Gumbaynggirr man Clark Webb, CEO of Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School, New South Wales' first bilingual Aboriginal language school. Together they yarn about what Children's Day means to the Gumbaynggirr community, as well as why culturally safe education and language revival are essential to supporting children to thrive. They discuss Kulai Preschool's history and current impact, which has been a cornerstone of the Gumbaynggirr community since 1962. Clark describes the Freedom School's journey since its inception in 2022, as well as their shared vision of what lifelong culturally safe education looks like for the community.The three also discuss the challenges and opportunities of embedding language, culture and listening into learning while navigating Western education benchmarks, and how both Kulai and the Freedom School adapt by letting the children guide the way. They share stories of community unity, intergenerational leadership and the incredible resilience of Aboriginal-led services in shaping confident, culturally proud young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.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 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.