Growin’ Up Strong - PROTOCOL & SUPPORT
Growin’ Up Strong - CD
Great care was taken to follow correct protocols regarding the inclusion of information about Aboriginal cultures in the lyrics of the songs. A two year consultation process was followed involving eleven Aboriginal communities from around Australia, requesting permission and advise on the inclusion of their language name and words in the lyrics on Growin’ Up Strong. The following Communities, Councils, Elders, Aboriginal Education groups and respected community representatives gave their blessing and written approval:
- Cedric Roberts and Ruby Langford Ginibi - Bundjalung Elders, NSW
-Agnes Coe and Sylvia Ingram (Wiradjuri Elders) and Jenny Munro from the Wiradjuri language group, NSW
- Pilawuk, Ngangiwumerri Nation, Moyle River, NT
- The Bidydanga Aboriginal Community Council, WA
- Topsy Secretary - Larrakia Elder, NT
- Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Council, NT
- Arrernte Council of Central Australia, NT
- Dennis Davey - Bardi Elder and Chairman of the Bardi Aborigines Association Inc, WA
- Ian Piendju - Martu Elder and Chairman of the Western Desert Puntukurnuparn Aboriginal Corporation WA
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Inc, TAS
- Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in Maningrida, NT
- Northern Land Council at Nhulunbuy, NT
- Noongar Language and Cultural Centre, WA
- NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group;
- NSW Aboriginal Early Childhood Support Services Unit; Aboriginal Programs Unit at NSW DET
- Aboriginal Curriculum Unit at the Office of the Board of Studies
- NSW Dept of Education and Training; NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group
- NSW Reconciliation Council
- NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group
- NSW Aboriginal Early Childhood Support Services Unit
- Aboriginal Programs Unit at NSW Dept of Education and Training
- Aboriginal Curriculum Unit at the Office of the Board of Studies, NSW DET
- NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the NSW Reconciliation Council
Music Credits:
All lyrics by Wendy Notley
Independently produced by Wendy Notley/Guy Dickerson/Barbara Notley
The Band: Wendy Notley - vocals/guitar; Barbara Notley - backing vocals/harmonies; Mark Atkins –didge; Al Rony - bass/guitar; Donna Ross -drums/guitar/percussion; Louise Gore - synthesizer; Greg Sheehan - percussion
The Kids: Vocals - Adriana Boyd, Skye Taylor, Pamela Dennis, Maxine Edwards, Maya Newell
Growin’ Up Strong – TEACHER RESOURCE BOOK & PICTURE BOOK SET (4 titles)
The Teacher Resource Book & Picture Book Set (4 titles) was published and launched on The Block at Murawina in Redfern in 1997, following a 2 yr consultation period involving Aboriginal Education groups, respected Elders and Aboriginal educators regarding the sharing of cultural information. All text included in the Resource Book was reviewed and is supported by:
- NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group
- NSW Aboriginal Early Childhood Support Services Unit
- Aboriginal Programs Unit at NSW Dept of Education and Training
- Aboriginal Curriculum Unit at the Office of the Board of Studies, NSW DET
- NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the NSW Reconciliation Council
Growin’ Up Strong - COMMUNITY SUPPORT
We would like to express our support for Aunty Wendy, our non-Aboriginal teacher who started teaching our kids at Murawina in 1990. She wrote the songs for our kids and we would like to acknowledge the positive effect that her CD's have had on both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in the Redfern area.
Aunty Wendy became part of the extended family within Murawina, spending many hours with the children and their families. She developed a strong bond and acceptance within the Aboriginal Community, earning her the trust and acceptance that was needed for the Growin’ Up Strong CD to succeed on a grass roots level.
It took a number of years for Aunty Wendy to develop the Growin’ Up Strong Teacher Resource Book because she chose to do it ‘proper way’ by following correct protocols when dealing with Aboriginal cultures. This meant making sure that the Community felt it was appropriate for Aunty Wendy to record the songs and develop the Resource Book. She spent many hours listening to, valuing and incorporating into the CD and Teacher Resource Book what Aboriginal Education Groups, Communities and respected Elders wished to express about culture.
Aunty Wendy also received permission from 14 Aboriginal Communities and Land Councils around Australia before including them in her lyrics and any information about their people on the Growin’ Up Strong CD and in print in the Teacher Resource Book.
We believe that Aunty Wendy’s commitment to doing things ‘proper way', will mean that the project will be received favourably by Aboriginal Communities. Murawina Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Education Centre, Redfern
The MLALC have been supportive of ‘Growin’ Up Strong’ from it’s planning stages through to the final compilation of songs contained on the CD. The positive messages about Aboriginal children and their culture will only enhance the understanding of our culture and our survival under very extreme conditions, for the wider community. The fact that we are still able to grow our children up, strong in the knowledge of who they are and where they came from, is the message that comes from the CD, strong in the similarities and diversity of our many nations.
MLALC would like to extend the gratitude of all its members, to you Wendy for your courage and determination in seeing the value in the songs. Jenny Munro, President, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Sydney
ATSIECSAG would like to support the Aunty Wendy’s Mob CD and Resource Book. Growin’ Up Strong will educate non-Aboriginal teachers and encourage them to develop their own knowledge and understanding of our history and will develop self-esteem in our own children and allow them to grow up understanding their culture. The NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group Inc.
Having seen the songs performed on many occasions at different schools and by a variety of children, I can enthusiastically attest to their cultural integrity, suitability for young children and their universal popularity with children, teachers and parents.
Wendy worked exhaustively to consult with Aboriginal communities across the country on the cultural aspects of the songs, Aboriginal language and other sensitive issues.
Her work is strongly supported by the communities she has consulted with and the schools and teachers who have worked with her. She has a demonstrated commitment to instill messages of cultural respect, self worth and appreciation.
Her success is measured by the enormous fun and delight children have in performing and singing her songs. Growin’ Up Strong is a valuable tool in the cultural education of children and indeed many adults in this country. Linda Burney, NSW State Reconciliation Committee
The Growin’ Up Strong Cd and Resource Book projects positive, contemporary images of Aboriginal people. It encourages young children to better understand Aboriginal cultures, learn from each other and value similarities between peoples and cultures. Growin’ Up Strong helps promote an understanding and acceptance of Aboriginal cultures, to help ensure that Australian children grow into a more tolerant and racially harmonious society. NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group
happy to be me - PROTOCOL & SUPPORT
happy to be me CD
A 2 year consultation process resulted in the following Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Councils, Aboriginal Corporations, Land Councils, Elders and respected community representatives giving their advice, their blessing and written approval to include the name of their language and advise on the inclusion of language words in the songs appearing on happy to be me.
- Gerard Reserve Council (SA)
- Kunballanjnja Council (NT)
- Wonnarua Nation and the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council (NSW)
- Muurrbay Language Centre (NSW)
- Warlpiri-Patu-Kurlangu Jaru (NT)
- The Gooniyandi Executive (WA)
- Terry Coulthard (Adnyamathanha mob) (SA)
- Moree, Toomelah and Narrabri Aboriginal Land Councils (NSW)
- Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation (WA)
- Kalkarinji Community Council (NT);
- Ian Delaney - Native Title Applicant (Jandai mob), (Q’land)
- Mike Ross - Olkola mob (Q’land)
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAS)
- Yamaji Language Centre (WA)
- Shared Vision Bundjalung Elders Council (NSW)
- Marngarr Council (NT)Koethil Mayl Torres Strait Islander Women’s Group
- Pitantjatjara Yangkunytjatjara Land Council (SA)
- Wiradjuri Elders and respected community representatives
- NSW Aboriginal Early Childhood Support Services Unit
- Aboriginal Programs Unit at NSW Dept of Education and Training
- Aboriginal Curriculum Unit at the Office of the Board of Studies, NSW DET
- NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group
- NSW Aboriginal Land Council
- Koethil Mayl Torres Strait Islander Womens Group, Sydney
Music Credits:
All lyrics by Wendy Notley
Kangaroo Rock - Taleena Simon/Wendy Notley
Hey, Hey, Hey - Granny Mooki/grand/great grandchildren & Wendy Notley (adapted/extended lyrics)
Independently produced by Wendy Notley
The Band: Wendy Notley - vocals/guitar; Nardi Simpson - harmony/keyboard; David Roberts – bass; Ashley Donovan - drums
The Kids: Nayden Simon; Taleena Simon; Rick Golding; Bre-arna Freeman; Jay-lara Freeman; Shanice Vincent and Tyrrell Freeman-Mafi - vocals
Featuring: Syrenne Anu and Kuiam Anu - vocals - 1,2,3,4,5 and Hey, Hey Hey Isabella Tunis-Notley; Heba Alameddine and Laielle Alameddine - vocals - Hey, Hey Hey
Special Appearances: Mark Atkins - didge; Walangari Karntawarre - breath/vocal percussion; Greg Sheehan - percussion; Monkey Mark - programming/arrangement - Hey, Hey, Hey; Mic Conway – ukulele; Helen Anu - bamboo drum; Donna Ross - tambourine (tracks 4 &16); Isabella Tunis-Notley and Kuiam Anu - beat box
happy to be me – TEACHER RESOURCE BOOK & PICTURE BOOK SET (8 titles)
Protocol was followed in compiling and including cultural information in the text of the happy to be me- Teacher Resource Book. Consultation with Aboriginal and TSI education and community based groups, Aboriginal educators and Elders was undertaken over a 18 month period regarding the inclusion of cultural information in the text.
The text in the Teacher Resource Book was reviewed and is supported by:
- NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group
- NSW Aboriginal Early Childhood Support Services Unit
- Aboriginal Programs Unit at NSW Dept of Education and Training
- Aboriginal Curriculum Unit at the Office of the Board of Studies, NSW DET
- NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group
- NSW Aboriginal Land Council
- Koethil Mayl Torres Strait Islander Womens Group, Sydney
happy to be me - COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Wendy was first introduced to ATSIECSAG when she worked at Murawina Child Care Centre in Redfern as a teacher of young children. A professional relationship was established and quickly grew stronger during the production of Wendy’s well-recognized CD, Growin’ Up Strong and accompanying resource materials.
Wendy, or Aunty Wendy as she is known, is respected throughout NSW communities for her understanding of Aboriginal culture and the sensitive approach she uses in all of her community consultations.
The NSW ATSIECSAG would like to congratulate Wendy on the production of her latest CD, happy to be me' and looks forward to sharing experiences in the future with children who have had the opportunity to engage in such great, educational entertainment. The NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group Inc
I had the songs checked for me by some Aboriginal children and their parents. The children loved the songs so much I had trouble getting them back. This tells me that the songs are an unreserved success. The lyrics are very reflective of contemporary Aboriginal people and contain situations with which Aboriginal people in diverse living conditions can identify with.
The Aboriginal Programs Unit at the NSW Department of Education and Training is most happy to support Happy To Be Me and we believe that it will benefit not only Indigenous children but non-Indigenous children as well. Lyn Riley-Mundine, Aboriginal Programs Unit - NSW Dept of Education and Training
The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc (NSW AECG) fully supports the efforts of the Aunty Wendy's Mob, 'happy to be me' CD and Resource Book. They are fun, interactive, educational and performance based, targeting early education for Aboriginal children. The AECG has always maintained that early intervention is critical for the education and life chances of Aboriginal students. It is reflected in the songs featured on the 'happy to be me' CD. The songs have an Aboriginal perspective and portray experiences that all children can relate to.
The Aunty Wendy's Mo CD's and Resource Books are an excellent tool, as they not only improve the school readiness of the children but the resources also empower their parents and carers who participate in the activities. These resources can make a real contribution to the capacity of the community. Moreover, many of the parents and carers who use the Aunty Wendy's Mob CD and Resource Book are given the confidence to go on to further their children's educational outcomes, thus building up the capacity of the community to become involved within the early years of schooling. The Aunty Wendy's Mob CD and Resource Book are achieving real outcomes for young Aboriginal children entering school, and at the same time, making a real contribution to empowering the children. Dave Ella, President - NSW AECG
The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council sincerely supports the work you are doing and hopefully 'happy to be me' will become another asset to benefit our Indigenous communities.
MLALC is pleased to support and endorse the use of the term, 'Aunty Wendy' as Wendy has been known over the years and 'Aunty Wendy's Mob' as the band's performance name. We feel it's appropriate to use this term for the purpose of creating children's songs and music that teach children about Aboriginal languages. The Council is delighted that Wendy takes seriously Aboriginal spirituality, culture and languages and many of our members appreciate Wendy's work. Rob Welch, Chairperson - Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
