By Reenku Thakkar

Child development specialist

The Benevolent Society’s Acacia Ridge Early Years Centre warmly welcomed members of the community to celebrate their fifth Birthday and official launch of their first children’s book: Poppy’s special talent on 2^nd March ,2017.

It was a beautiful morning for the launch. There were a number of activities where the team embraced various communities’ culture.The event was opened by the local elder Aunty Alex Gator, followed by a smoking ceremony. This was enjoyed by around 400 children and staff from local schools, local families, and the children who attend Acacia Ridge Early Years Centre’s Long day Care who were invited to participate in the cleansing ritual. Families from the community and staff from Acacia Ridge Early Years Centre contributed to the event with the Gujarati Garba flash mob, mantra meditation, and Indigenous story telling and dance.

The book launch was funded by a grant by the Qld Government Department of Education and based on the real life stories of culturally and linguistically diverse children from the Early Years Centre services within Acacia Ridge and surrounds. The book aims to show the relationship between the children’s dreams for their future and the vital skills they learn at Kindy which set them up to succeed. Each family that attended received their own copy as well as families in Acacia Ridge signed up to the Imagination Library.

The Benevolent society is Australia’s first charity. It is a not-for-profit and non-religious organization. TheAcacia Ridge Early Years Centre and Kindergarten provides services and activities for children aged 0-8 years including a Long Day Care and Approved Kindergarten Program, Family Support, free playgroups, parenting classes, free early childhood health checks, vaccinations and more. You can find them at 67 Nyngam Street, Acacia Ridge or call 33208400. Families are welcome to drop in at any time or have a look on the Facebook page for the timetable of services and events or to see the flash mob!

https://www.facebook.com/Acacia-Ridge-Early-Years-Centre-and-Kindergarten-306830899380667/