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Dalaigur Preschool and Children's Services in Kempsey began as an idea over a cuppa.
An idea from the hearts of a group of local aunties who wanted better for their community and children.
Six decades later, the school, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation on Dunghutti land, has educated generations of families and is a winner in this year's NSW Department of Education's 18th Nanga Mai Awards.
The awards, which celebrate the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal students, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teachers, other departmental staff, Aboriginal community members and schools across a range of areas, presented Dalaigur Preschool with the inaugural Outstanding Early Education and Care Service Award.
Dalaigur director, Debbie Swanson said it was an honour.
"We're all so excited," Ms Swanson said.
"We've been throwing our heart and soul into our preschool and to be recognised for the amazing work we all do here is really gratifying.
"We're all a little bit emotional about it as well, because it's challenging but also so rewarding."
Continuing legacy
Dalaigur school educates about 85 children over three days each week and has 14 educators.
95 per cent of the children and 60 per cent of the educators are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Celebrations during NAIDOC Week. Source: Supplied
We've now got the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those aunties coming through, so it's a beautiful legacy.
"It's a responsibility and a beautiful connection knowing we're such a trusted and safe organisation for our community's children."
Ms Swanson said Dalaigur weaves Dunghutti culture into all its programs and is built on its commitment to children, the community and excellence.
"For the kids we want to empower them, especially around their identity and sense of worth, that they can go and do whatever they want to do when they leave us and hit the world," she said.
Elders Uncle John Kelly and Aunty Vicki Taylor regularly share knowledge with the children as cultural facilitator and language educator respectively.
Aunty Vicki said the school doesn't "have a cultural program as such", but that culture is "so embedded and ogranic" within the service."
"It's a natural part of what we do and who we are," she said.
Aunty Vicki said the positive impact of the school goes beyond the classroom walls in supporting families of the children in their own cultural journeys.
"For some families, they have missed out on their culture themselves, and some are learning language and cultural practices through us and through their kids which is really special," Aunty Vicki said.
Dalaigur receives funding through the Ninganah No More language program, which supports Aunty Vicki to host language lessons with the children three days a week, as well as visit other local services.
The preschool also works with early intervention services to deliver the Aboriginal Therapy Project, where allied health professionals provide therapy as well as train and mentor Dalaigur educators and staff to implement the therapy program throughout the year.
The Nanga Mai Awards celebrated 13 students and 12 teachers, community leaders and schools.
Margaret Pengelly from Parkview Public School was also recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Early Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Staff Member Award.
Ms Pengelly established the school's Winhangara playgroup which began as an outreach program to welcome families into a positive early childhood setting.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car congratulated Dalaigur Preschool and Ms Pengelly for providing high quality, culturally safe and inclusive early childhood education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
"It's crucial that children's connection to culture and identity is developed and nurtured from the early years," Deputy Premier Car said.
"Dalaigur Preschool and Ms Pengelly are growing their community's next leaders and helping maintain and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history for generations to come."
