The most asked questions here.
Phone: 02 9692 9641
The most asked questions here.
Email: auntywendysmob@gmail.com
ABN: 87 728 696 865
Click below to request: Performance / PD Training
Aunty Wendy's Mob
Wendy Notley - Creator, Teacher, Perfomer
Wendy Notley is an early childhood trained teacher…and a whitefulla. She began teaching at Murawina Aboriginal Child Care Centre in Eveleigh St, Redfern (aka The Block) in 1990 and her relationship with those children and families continues today.
Murawina asked Wendy to record and share her songs in mainstream Centres because they were’ too deadly NOT to share!’ The songs reflected aspects of culture that all children can relate to.
Wendy followed correct Protocol before recording ~ a two year National Consultation Process (for each album) with Elders; Respected Community spokespeople; NSW AECG; ATSIECSAG; Aboriginal Education Groups; Board of Studies and Dept of Education Aboriginal Programs Units; Aboriginal Community and Land Councils around Australia ~ resulting in advice, written permissions and blessings to record the songs and include language words and language names, as well as the cultural content embedded in the lyrics and the accompanying Teacher Resource Books.
Wendy’s first album, Growin’ Up Strong was launched on ‘The Block’ in Redfern at Murawina in 1996…a huge Community event!
Uncle Gerry Bostock named the band, ‘Aunty Wendy’s Mob’ as that’s how Wendy was known at Murawina ~ Aunty (not to be confused with Elder) is also a word that holds a similar meaning in other cultures, too.
Wendy’s second album,’happy to be me’ was released in 2008, following 18 months of National consultation.
Murawina encouraged Wendy to go out into the mainstream Early Childhood space and share her songs… so, she did. But she returned to Murawina every fortnight, in a volunteer capacity until its closure. Her volunteer work and giving back to families and Community has been extensive and ongoing over a thirty year period.
Aunty Wendy’s Mob is still going strong and the songs are now embedded in the National Curriculum. For the past 25 years, Wendy’s been sharing her songs through an interactive, musical theatre performance in Early Childhood Centres and Schools.
Wendy also presents PD Workshops ~ inspiring and supporting teachers to be confident in including the Aunty Wendy’s Mob songs in their teaching practice.
‘Aunty is a general term used in Aboriginal community as a sign of acceptance and respect. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have been acknowledging Wendy as ‘Aunty’ since the early 1990’s and is how Wendy is known in many communities around NSW.’ NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group
