Written by Amie Andrews, Nominated Supervisor Castle Hill
Indigenous Activity at Dashing Ducks
One of the things I love most about being part of this community is that we get to be surprised by the people in it. And Braydon has surprised us in the most beautiful way.
Braydon is one of our wonderful dads here at our child care Castle Hill centre, and he is also a proud Gomeroi man who works with Indigenous youth. A little while ago, he reached out and offered to come in and spend time with our children and educators, sharing his culture with us. We said yes straight away, and honestly, we had no idea just how special it was going to be.
We are so grateful for families like Braydon’s, and Georgia, who make Dashing Ducks the community that it truly is.
The afternoon that stayed with all of us
On his first visit, Braydon shared Aboriginal culture with our children through stories, song and dance. I genuinely don’t think I can put into words what it felt like to watch our little ones in that moment. They were completely still. Completely present. And anyone who works in early childhood knows that doesn’t just happen.
There is something so powerful about culture being shared by someone who truly lives it. It is different from a book, different from a resource on the wall. It is real and warm and alive, and our children felt every bit of it. Our educators did too.
A huge thank you to Georgia for helping make that first visit happen. It meant so much to all of us, truly.
Braydon came back, and together they left their mark
When we found out Braydon wanted to come back for a second visit, we were so excited. And this time, it was even more magical than the first. Together, the children pressed their little handprints onto our garden poles, each one leaving their own permanent mark on our centre. A beautiful, tangible reminder that says: I was here. I belong here. This place is mine too.
Braydon then painted symbols that reflect our centre and the place we call home. The hills, representing Castle Hill where we are so lucky to be. The resting place, representing the beautiful rhythm of life here at Dashing Ducks, where children come each day to learn, laugh, eat, rest and grow.
These symbols carry tens of thousands of years of storytelling behind them, and we are so honoured to have them as a permanent part of our space. This is something we are going to keep building on over time, and we truly cannot wait to see how it grows.
Why moments like this matter so much in early childhood
At Dashing Ducks, our child care Castle Hill NSW program is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, which places so much importance on belonging, cultural identity and connection. Braydon’s visits are such a beautiful, real-life example of what this looks like in practice, not just on paper.
When children see their educators sitting alongside a Gamilaraay man, genuinely curious and learning right alongside them, they absorb something so important about respect and openness. When they press their own little handprints next to everyone else’s on that pole, they feel belonging in the most tangible and meaningful way. It is something I truly believe will stay with each and every one of them.
It is also such a reminder of how important it is that every child feels their own culture is celebrated here, and that they are exposed to different perspectives in ways that are meaningful and age-appropriate. We take that responsibility so seriously, and visits like Braydon’s are exactly why.
To Braydon and Georgia, from all of us at Dashing Ducks
We ask a lot of our families. Early mornings, forms, trust in us with the most precious people in their world. And then there are families like Braydon and Georgia who give us something we would never have even thought to ask for: their time, their knowledge, and a piece of their culture that they have chosen to share with our little community. That is something we do not take for granted, not even for a second.
Our educators who were there for both visits still talk about them. The children pointed at their handprints on the poles for weeks afterwards, proudly showing every family member who walked through the door. One of our little ones was still humming one of the songs on the way to lunch days later, and honestly, my heart was so full.
This is what family involvement at its most beautiful looks like, and we feel so lucky to have it here at Dashing Ducks. Thank you, Braydon and Georgia. From the bottom of our hearts.
If you would love to be part of a community like ours, we would love nothing more than to welcome you. Come and visit us at 14 Garthowen Crescent, Castle Hill. Read what some of our other wonderful families have to say, or get in touch to book a tour. We cannot wait to meet you!
Want to see our community for yourself?
Dashing Ducks is a family-owned child care centre in Castle Hill with over 30 years serving families in the Hills District. CCS-subsidised, EYLF-aligned, and built around real community — the kind that shows up in a yarning circle on a Tuesday afternoon.
Dashing Ducks
Friendly, Experienced Team
Family-Owned, always
Nutritious Meals daily
Our learning environment is designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, fostering a love for exploration while supporting every child’s.
01
Holistic Learning
Approach
We focus on nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally ensuring they develop essential skills.
02
Safe & Supportive
Learning
We prioritise safety and well-being, providing a secure online space where children can explore, learn, and grow.
03
Proven Adaptive
Learning
Focusing on each child's strengths, boosting confidence and academic performance with measurable progress.
