Dylan Wilson, First Nations Early Childhood Coordinator
Building capacity and
inclusion in Woodenbong
Woodenbong, New South Wales
In the regional town of Woodenbong and nearby Muli Muli Aboriginal community, a cultural inclusion project led by Northcott’s Early Childhood Community Capacity Building team is helping families get the support and services they desperately need.
Woodenbong is in the far north of New South Wales near the Queensland border and 150km from the coast. Approximately half its population of 390 people identify as Aboriginal and there are around 60 children in the 0-14 years age group. Isolation, health issues and lack of transportation are some of challenging factors for people who live in the area.
Following COVID, essential services in the community ceased, with staff at Woodenbong Central School and Preschool struggling to support families in need of therapists, health services, NDIS funding and more.
Saira-Jane Booler, Northcott’s Early Childhood Community Capability Building Facilitator
Northcott’s Early Childhood Community Capability Building Facilitator, Saira-Jane Booler began working with the Woodenbong community in early 2023.
“While services have been intermittent for the past 20 years, issues escalated after COVID. Prior to this, regular therapists were visiting, an Aboriginal Health Corporation was running out of Muli Muli and the preschool had funding for an occasional speech therapist. But all this disappeared after COVID,” Saira explains.
After attending several Service NSW meetings in Muli Muli to try to meet families and other services, Saira realised she needed to connect directly in Woodenbong to be effective.
“I decided to approach the Woodenbong Central School and Preschool. It took three emails and an invitation for the principal and director to join both Dylan Wilson, our First Nations Early Childhood Coordinator, and I for lunch before they would engage, but it worked,” she says.
Dylan and Saira travelled to Woodenbong together for a meeting, kicking off a year-long collaboration to overcome barriers and build the capacity of the school and preschool to know where to go for support in the future.
Positive outcomes
The first and most significant achievement was establishing a fortnightly online networking meeting with the school, preschool, First Peoples Disability Advocate, Social Futures, Dylan and Saira. Very quickly these meetings grew, with more stakeholders attending and valuable connections made. The catch-ups fostered open communication, problem-solving and, importantly, the re-establishment of services in the community. From these meetings, many positive outcomes have been achieved, some of which are detailed below.
Introducing Dylan to Woodenbong Central School was hugely valuable. In his role as First Nations Early Childhood Coordinator, Dylan has been able to connect with Aboriginal families in a culturally sensitive way, supporting many to begin accessing services or applying for NDIS funding.
Saira also successfully lobbied the Northern NSW Local Health District and Member for Lismore, Then Hon. Janelle Saffin MP to have a mobile dental van visit Woodenbong Central School to conduct free dental checks and minor work. The mobile unit, which had previously bypassed the town, spent time at Woodenbong in June/July 2024.
Another important connection was to link Woodenbong Central School and preschool with Brighter Beginnings, a NSW Health program providing health and development checks for 4-year-olds. With no preschool screening previously available, making this program available in Woodenbong is a win for local families and early educators.
The coming year
While several services have been re-established in Woodenbong, Saira’s networking meeting will continue in FY2025 to further strength connections and support Woodenbong Central School and Preschool. Additionally, Dylan will continue to support First Nations families to access services and the NDIS. The cultural inclusion project has not only revitalised services in Woodenbong, but also empowered the community and local providers to better support families and children.
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