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We are thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s NAIDOC Week Aboriginal Art Competition Winner – Latrell Bawurra, age 11!

Latrell’s powerful artwork captures the theme of strength, legacy, and the next generation. At the heart of his painting is a central meeting place, symbolising where generations come together to share knowledge and continue the cultural legacy of their people.

We received 15 entries from across our network, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to the case managers, teams, and centres who rallied around this initiative. Your support made this a meaningful opportunity for the children and young people we work with.

Latrell was incredibly proud to share his win with his community, even offering to share his prize with his brothers. His Learning Centre group was so supportive and thrilled for him, and we’re all excited to see him even more inspired to continue creating art.

Latrell’s Artwork Story:

“The meeting in the middle of my painting represents strength, legacy, and the next generation. It shows the generations at a meeting place, sharing knowledge, and continuing the legacy of our culture. The four areas show different aspects of our culture that help our community learn, pass on knowledge, and stay strong. 

For example, the bottom area represents water and life, the two green sections represent the plants and animals of Country, while the top represents the night sky with the Ancestors continuing to watch over us. The four wavy lines represents the earth, and the middle of the meeting place shows the fire at the centre. Different layers of colours represent different generations.”

Latrell’s piece is a beautiful reminder of the power of culture, community, and connection. Congratulations, Latrell! Your artwork inspires and honours the spirit of NAIDOC!

What’s Next?

To celebrate and honour Latrell’s work, his artwork will be added automatically to all Barnardos email signatures across the organisation. This ensures we carry the spirit of NAIDOC Week with us every day, visibly and proudly.

Thursday 22 May 2025 | 10am – 1pm | Shellharbour Civic Centre

Families with young children are invited to celebrate connection, culture, and community at Shellharbour Communities for Children’s KidsFest Picnic and Play Day, part of KidsFest Shellharbour 2025.

Presented by Shellharbour Communities for Children in collaboration with Shellharbour City Council and KidsFest Shellharbour the event will be held on Thursday 22 May from 10am to 1pm at the Yirran Muru Playspace, Shellharbour Civic Centre.

This free event is designed especially for children aged 0–5 years and their families.

This year’s KidsFest theme, “Connecting to Country – Growing Peace & Trust,” links with the United Nations International Year of Peace and Trust, and will be brought to life through an exciting program of hands-on activities that celebrate children’s curiosity, culture, and creativity.

Families can expect more than 25 engaging experiences, including:

• Aboriginal cultural activities to foster understanding and connection to Country
• Storytime sessions, bush craft, loose parts play, art and craft
• Music-making, nature play and sensory experiences

These experiences are designed to inspire play and learning that families can recreate at home. All families attending will receive a free swag bag, including a storybook to take home.

Finally, for the first time in 2025, KidsFest Picnic and Play Day will also feature:

• A dedicated sensory space hosted by Big Fat Smile, supporting children with diverse needs
• A free vaccination clinic thanks to Healthy Cities Australia in partnership with NSWHealth
• Expanded Aboriginal Cultural Activities, strengthening connection to local knowledge and Country.

You might be new to the ‘back-to-school’ routine, or you might be a seasoned prepper, but for so many families, the summer holidays and start of the new school year often means a blowout in family budgets to cover extra expenses such as new school uniforms and shoes, equipment and activities.

The cost of living has been front of mind for several years now, but we don’t often look at how it impacts children. In Barnardos Australia long experience parents who are struggling financially try and protect their children from the worry of ‘not enough money’ however we also know that children feel the stress of feeling different to their peers. Beyond the immediate impacts, childhood poverty can also increase social isolation when money can’t be found for participation in extra-curricular activities and community events.

Being a federal election year, 2025 brings the promise of more discussion about family budgets and the cost of living. It’s a discussion worth having, and while immediate relief is welcome, one-off rebates and discounts are not going to change much for the three quarters of a million Australian children currently living in poverty.

Solving, or at least alleviating childhood poverty, is challenging but possible. While every family has a different story about how they arrived at a point of crisis, the challenges they face to move beyond crisis remain the same. Whether it’s job losses, illness, death of a parent or domestic violence, the challenges of keeping a roof over your head and feeding your family are increasingly steep.

Barnardos Australia has supported thousands of families facing crises like these over the past two years, in ever widening debt traps to cover essential food, electricity or medical costs. We know these parents work hard to protect their children from feeling the pressure by skipping meals themselves and going without. But, when it comes time to celebrate a child’s birthday, participate in a school holiday activity or buy a new school uniform, there is simply no room to move – children miss out.

Being poor is hard work, and families are forced to make impossible choices. Barnardos Australia can offer practical support by providing food/bill relief, negotiating with landlords, liaising with schools about uniform and equipment costs, supporting child health assessments and providing the occasional birthday present. Having someone to support you through a crisis is priceless. Equally, leaving children to face the ongoing impacts of poverty is costly, and risky.

We all share the responsibility for responding with a human lens to challenges facing families and children and the long-term implications. It can be all too easy to forget that the impact of child poverty has a long tail into adulthood, and disadvantage for the whole of life. This may not happen for every child, but it continues to happen for too many. The missed opportunities of childhood can compound into lack of educational opportunity and ongoing employment difficulties, chronic physical and mental health problems, and severe social isolation and disadvantage.

Solutions like raising the rate of income support so necessities are affordable, building more affordable and social housing, and providing expanded pregnancy and early childhood support are not new, and so badly needed for children in struggling families. Providing for children’s safety and future success is both an ethical and an economic necessity.

Like many other parents and grandparents, my wish for the new school year is that every child has a positive year full of discovery and optimism. And Barnardos Australia wants this commitment from all levels of Australian government, and all Australians, in 2025. #ChampionsforChildren #MakingChildrenVisible Champions – Barnardos Australia

By Deidre Cheers published on Linked In

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a powerful annual reminder of the critical work required to prevent violence against women and children. This year, Barnardos Australia joins the global campaign to shed light on the devastating impact of domestic and family violence (DFV) on our youngest and most vulnerable – children.

In 2024, Australia continues to grapple with the heartbreaking reality of children being killed or left without parents due to domestic violence. Over 50 children have died or suffered irreparable harm within the context of domestic violence* this year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives lost, families shattered, and even more children left behind.

Children are often overlooked in discussions about domestic violence. Yet, they are deeply affected, not only as witnesses to violence but also as direct victims. Many are left behind, losing their mothers and sometimes their fathers to domestic violence murders. The emotional scars can last a lifetime, manifesting as mental health challenges, developmental delays, and a heightened risk of perpetuating or becoming victims of violence in adulthood.

DFV does not discriminate against socio-economic boundaries, cultures, or postcodes. It calls for a collective acknowledgment that domestic violence is not a private issue but a societal crisis requiring urgent attention.

The 16 Days of Activism is a vital opportunity for all of us to reflect on our roles in preventing violence. This is not solely the responsibility of governments, law enforcement, or child protection agencies. It is a responsibility we all share – as neighbours, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members.

At Barnardos Australia we believe that every Australian has a role in ending this cycle of violence. Whether it is by challenging harmful gender norms, supporting survivors, or speaking out when we suspect abuse, action is essential.

This year, Barnardos Australia is dedicating the 16 Days to raising awareness about how domestic violence impacts children. Through our social media, community events, and sector partners, we aim to ensure children are at the forefront of discussions about family violence. Our mission is to amplify their voices and advocate for systems that prioritise their safety and well-being.

Ending domestic violence may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but it is possible. It begins with acknowledging the issue, supporting survivors, and committing to systemic change. We can honor the memories of children lost to domestic violence by working tirelessly to protect those who remain.

During these 16 Days of Activism, let us all commit to being part of the solution. By working together, we can create a future where every child feels safe, loved, and valued.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 000 or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support.

*ANROWS
*Australian Femicide Watch

By Deidre Cheers published on Linked In