Each term, Birrahlee Preschool participates in a community initiative. This term, together with 40 other local childcare centres, it is supporting Gunawirra, a community-led organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Through Gunawirra’s Five Big Ideas program, they reach out to preschool children in regional and remote NSW, working in direct response to the needs and resources that the Centres require, with ongoing collaboration and consultation. This program emphasises learning about Aboriginal culture, nutrition, storytelling, and Indigenous Art. The holistic work aims to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and support Indigenous culture. Our Cover photos are from Gunawirra’s Facebook page and show some of the kids they support receiving their care packs last year.
This was the response:
Birrahlee Families Would Love Your Help
Birrahlee families have been busy donating care packs to be delivered to preschool communities in need of vital supplies – but they would LOVE your help to contribute even more to this worthy cause!
Make A Complete Care Pack or Donate A Few Items
You can help by either deliveringing to Birrahlee a complete care pack, a pack with a few items, an individual item or a bulk supply of one item. Any donation is appreciated, but items MUST BE NEW, and please only include the items requested.
Donations of care packs can be delivered to Birrahlee Preschool via the main gate (car park behind Chemist Warehouse and Pet-O), Monday, 3 June – Friday, 7 June, between 8am and 330pm.
Care Packs for girls or boys aged 2-6 are packed inside a backpack. Please mark the backpack either GIRL or BOY and write the child’s age.
Items to Donate
This year, Gunawirra have expressed a need for the following NEW items to be included in their care packs:
- Children’s School Backpack
- Children’s wide-brimmed hat
- Children’s toothbrush (sealed Packet) and Toothpaste (Low fluoride that is age-appropriate)
- 50+ Sunscreen (children’s low-irritant sunscreen is appreciated)
- Children’s underwear packs – new (boy or girl ages 2 to 6yrs)
- Face washers
- Pocket tissues
- Hand wipes (hand sanitiser is great for families, but not for the children’s backpacks)
- Antiseptic Cream/spray
- A pack of band-aids
- A pack of soap
- Body wash and shampoo (optional)
- Children’s singlets (boy or girl ages 2-6 years – optional)
- Activity Book and Crayons or pencils (optional)
- Letter/drawing from your child (optional)
Birrahlee Preschool is proud to have been part of the Lane Cove Community for 66 years. In 2019, ITC published this story about its rich 60-year history.
Would You Like to Be on the Birrahlee Board?
The Birrahlee Board has always consisted of volunteer parents; however, more than 50% of the Board changes each year as parents transition out of preschool to school. In 2023, the Birrahlee Pre-School constitution was changed to allow community members with particular expertise to join the Board to assist with diversity of perspective.
Birrahlee is looking for an accountant to join the Board and feels it would be an excellent role for someone from the local community. If you are an accountant currently practising or retired but want to give your time to Birrahlee, they would love to hear from you. Please email the board here. As a not-for-profit community-based preschool, outside expertise would be invaluable.
Birrahlee Contact Details
Email: [email protected]
Address: 70 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066
Phone: 9427 5900
Website: birrahlee.com
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