The Reconciliation Team would like to introduce Big Fat Smile’s newest recruits, Mahalia and Sophia!
Mahalia and Sophia join us from the Torres Strait Islands (Mahalia is a Kaurareg woman from Waiben/Thursday Island and Sophia is a Koeybuway woman from the island of Saibai) and have been employed in response to feedback from our services, asking for support to strengthen knowledge of Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives and to guide and imbue within service programs and practice.
Mahalia and Sophia began visiting services in August, where they are spending time with the children and educators, sharing their cultural knowledge, sparking conversations and spreading smiles.
In exchange, Mahalia and Sophia have asked that we support them to deepen their understanding of our local Aboriginal histories, cultures and perspectives. They would love to help care for Country in our outdoor spaces, join children on excursions out in the community, read books, engage in play and join in learning.
You may see photos and a brief outline of their time at your child’s service, as they record their adventures and new learning experiences.
Mahalia and Sophia’s names were chosen from the list contained in the following SBS NITV article: Top 20 names for Indigenous babies 2016 | SBS NITV
They were purchased from Connecting the Dots through Culture: Connecting the Dots through Culture | Early Education Consultant
