Honouring the Next Generation: Wandarrah’s Legacy of Strength and Belonging

Kerri Rodwell, General Manager at Wandarrah Preschool.

As NAIDOC Week 2025 celebrates The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, the team at Wandarrah Preschool and Community Centre in south-west Queensland stands as a shining example of what it means to live and lead these values every day.

At the heart of Wandarrah is General Manager Kerri Rodwell, a proud Yuwaalaraay woman and First Nations leader whose passion for children, culture and community runs deep.

“My focus at Wandarrah is to build a really strong workforce that can embed Indigenous perspectives with authenticity,” Kerri shares. “It’s about making sure our team has the skills, leadership and support to nurture our children - especially those with trauma backgrounds - with love and pride.”

A Community-led Legacy

Kerri’s connection to Wandarrah is personal and long-standing. What began as a mother enrolling her children has grown into decades of dedication.

“I came here as a mum,” she says with a smile. “I was on the committee for 25 years, always involved in the background. Then in 2018, I stepped into the role of General Manager because we needed First Nations leadership at the centre.”

This leadership brought a renewed vision for how the service could better reflect its community roots. “We changed the model. It was okay to ask, ‘What would happen if we did things differently?’ Now, we have a structure where we can give real wraparound support to our teachers so they can focus on what they do best - teaching and caring for our kids.”

Artwork by Kylie Hill (Handprints by Wandarrah Preschool for Harmony Day).

Truth-telling in Early Childhood

Wandarrah’s approach to embedding First Nations perspectives is both innovative and grounded in cultural knowledge.

“We have our own calendar of significant cultural dates that our educators use to plan learning that centres truth-telling,” Kerri explains. “It’s age-appropriate, of course, but it really teaches the teachers what they don’t know - so they can be authentic in their practice.”

From learning about history to going on Country, Wandarrah’s educators are immersed in cultural experiences that shift their perspective.

“We’ve taken the whole team to places like Minjerribah, Gari, and even up to Thursday Island,” says Kerri. “It’s important for our educators to experience culture, not just read about it. They come back and say, ‘I get it now.’ That’s when they can teach with truth and heart.”

Wandarrah Preschool ECT Lisa with artwork for Reconciliation Week 2025.

Living the Theme: Strength, Vision & Legacy

For Kerri and the Wandarrah team, this year’s NAIDOC theme is more than a message - it’s their daily reality.

“Oh my gosh. Strength, Vision and Legacy - it’s what we do every day,” she says. “We’re blessed to have elders who come in all the time. They tell us they feel safe here. We sit and talk and are guided by them. But we also build up our children to have vision and strength for the future.”

In reflecting on the current social climate, Kerri doesn’t shy away from the truth.

“With everything that’s come from the referendum and the no vote, we’ve felt the impact. But it’s also made people put truth-telling at the forefront. And with social media, our real history is getting out there - even if we still see racism. There’s something truly powerful about who we are as First Nations people. We’ve already survived genocide. Our history has been horrific. But we are just getting stronger and deadlier.”

This spirit of resilience is reflected in every layer of Wandarrah’s work, from their elders to the youngest child. It’s even woven into the creative work of Kerri’s own granddaughter.

“I asked her to design a NAIDOC t-shirt,” Kerri shares proudly. “She created artwork with footprints - our ancestors - and wrote ‘We are walking together into a better future.’ That just made me so proud.”

Wandarrah Preschool ECT Huong.

From Grassroots to Greatness

At its core, Wandarrah remains a space for community healing, education and pride. It’s also a deeply personal mission for Kerri, who sees herself as one of many custodians of a place that belongs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“What drives me is those little children in the room,” she says. “We want to create an amazing environment for them - a place where their identity is front and centre, and where they feel safe, proud and loved.”

Having watched generations of families come through the centre, Kerri knows the true impact of culturally strong early learning.

“When my own children came here, I saw what it looks like when they’re surrounded by the right staff, the right support. It gives them such a bright beginning,” she reflects. “We say it takes a community to raise a child - and that’s exactly what Wandarrah is.”

For All Children, For the Future

While Wandarrah is a proud First Nations-led service, its doors and values are inclusive by nature.

“We welcome children from all walks of life. They come here and learn about connection, and they walk out with so much pride. Families from different backgrounds tell us they feel safe here.”

This inclusive environment is exactly what Kerri believes her ancestors dreamed of.

“It’s about remembering the past, being submerged in our culture, and thriving into the future. That’s what our old people wanted - and they fought so hard to find a way. So now it’s our job to keep going, to keep giving, and to honour that legacy.”

As NAIDOC Week 2025 unfolds, Wandarrah doesn’t just celebrate the theme - they embody it. Through community, culture, and courageous leadership, they are shaping the next generation - strong, visionary, and proud.