Murrindindi Children's Network was thrilled to be able to hold its annual Early Learning Conference on 6 May at Holmesglen at Eildon, after last year's event was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Network provides important care and services to children and families in the Shire and is supported by Murrindindi Shire Council.
'C.A.R.E' - which stands for 'Children Need Connection, Attachment, Relationships, Every Day' - was the theme for this year's event.
Keynote speakers included Walter Mikac AM, Cofounder of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation (named after his daughters), who delivered an incredibly moving talk about his experience of losing his wife and two daughters in the Port Arthur massacre. Walter spoke about how his desire to create something positive from the devastation, led him to starting the Foundation. Walter believes that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to any form of violence and the Foundation works to identify, prevent and respond to the modern challenges children and young people face.
Other speakers included Karen Dimmock, CEO of the Association for Children with a Disability, Early Childhood Consultant Louise Doratt, and Jo Fasano and Danni Forjam from the Department of Education and Training Victoria.
Participants discussed working with children with a disability; the importance of incorporating music and play into our early learning programs; the need to ensure quality education options are available for children in out-of-home care and promoting an understanding of the additional needs of vulnerable children in our community.
Council's Community Engagement and Wellbeing Portfolio Councillor Damien Gallagher said he was thrilled to attend the conference, together with Mayor Sandice McAulay and Cr Karine Haslam.
'It was an excellent opportunity for those working in the early childhood sector to meet with other professionals and it was fantastic to learn about some of the important issues that relate to the health and wellbeing of the children in our Shire.
'Each of the speakers were incredibly inspiring and it was tremendously valuable learning from their expertise and experience. The feedback from participants about the conference was very positive and I think everyone was very grateful to be able to come together and share such a special day, especially given they weren't able to last year.
Attendees included all of the Shire's Family Day Care educators, kindergarten teachers and educators from all of the Shire's pre-schools, as well as staff from FamilyCare and the Department of Education and Training Victoria.
