St Peter’s Kindergarten combined with another local kindergarten offered families the opportunity to join us on a Cultural Night Walk.
Our host for the event was Willie Pepper from the BoonWurrung Land and Sea Council. The venue we chose was Ricketts Point, Beaumaris, due to it’s cultural significance (it was a meeting place for the BoonWurrung people for annual festivities, trading and women’s business).
We had approximately 40 people attend the event, including kindergarten children, their families and staff from both kinders.
Willie shared stories with us about the area, it’s significance to the Indigenous people, and shared information about the land and sea – we had a close look at a midden by the shore – evidence of feasts and gatherings. The area is still rich in indigenous flora, and there is evidence along the shore of burnt shells (probably from middens nearby) and the rockpools are rich with life, sea birds and hidden treasures.
The feedback from families was wonderful – they had the opportunity to ask questions about the local area, it’s people, and we all felt so closely connected with one another and with the land. Willie also kindly celebrated a Smoking Ceremony as an additional part of the event.
The two kinders will work in collaboration again in 2026 to host another two events aimed at Reconciliation and Awareness around First Nations Culture. This event has strongly supported our RAP initiatives, and we are excited to have another two kinders coming on board in 2026 who will also participate in our events – the enthusiasm is spreading, and we are delighted to share these experiences with our families and with one another.
We are very grateful to AGECS for the generous grant which allowed us to host this very special event.