Our Story

Winanga-li Aboriginal Child & Family Centre is a proud Aboriginal-led organisation working with children, families, and communities across the Gamilaraay Country and beyond. Our name, Winanga-li, means to hear, to listen, to know in Gamilaraay — and this guides everything we do.

Exterior of Winanga-li Aboriginal Child & Family Centre with colorful murals and greenery in front.

Culture, Connection, Community

We are here to walk alongside families: creating safe, culturally strong, and supportive pathways that help children thrive from birth through to adulthood. Our services span early childhood education, parenting and family support, cultural and language revitalisation, youth engagement, out-of-home care, and community wellbeing programs.
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At our heart is culture, connection, and community. We believe children grow strongest when their identity is respected, their voices are heard, and their families are supported. That’s why we work closely with Elders, community members, and local organisations to co-design services that are not only effective but culturally safe.
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Our work is backed by strong governance, a dedicated team, and trusted partnerships with government and community stakeholders. From building new Early Learning Centres and expanding Aboriginal Child & Family Centres across NSW, to delivering grassroots language and fatherhood programs, we are constantly evolving to meet community needs while staying true to who we are.

Our Commitment

At Winanga-li Aboriginal Child & Family Centre, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people always come first. We do not tolerate abuse, harm, or neglect of any kind, and we are committed to upholding the rights of every child in our care.

Shared Responsibility

Every person connected to Winanga-li — staff, volunteers, Board members, and partners — shares responsibility for protecting children.

Embedded in Practice

Child safety is built into our governance, culture, and everyday practice.

Listening to Children

We actively listen to children and act on their concerns.

Best Interests First

Decisions are always made in the best interests of children and young people.

Continuous Improvement

Our approach is continually reviewed and strengthened to ensure the highest standards of care.

For Children & Young People

We want every child and young person to feel safe, respected, and included:

Your voice matters — we will listen and act when you speak.
You have the right to be safe, to say no, and to know who to turn to if something isn’t right.
We will protect you from abuse, neglect, bullying, and grooming.
We will support your cultural identity and your right to grow up proud and strong.
Everyone who works with Winanga-li follows clear codes of conduct that keep you safe.

Young boy watering plants with a yellow watering can on a porch, watched by a smiling man and woman.

For Parents, Carers, Families & the Community

We believe safety is strongest when families and community are included:

We will be open and transparent about how we keep children safe.
We will share clear information about what to expect from us and how to raise concerns.
We welcome feedback, ideas, and complaints — and commit to responding respectfully and fairly.
We will partner with parents, carers, Elders, and community to create safe, culturally strong environments for children.

As a Child Safe Organisation

Being child safe means more than having policies — it means living them every day. At Winanga-li, we:

Embed child safety in our leadership, governance, and culture.
Train, support, and supervise staff and volunteers to meet their responsibilities.
Require Working with Children Checks and thorough recruitment screening.
Provide regular training and refresher learning on child safety and cultural safety.
Ensure children, families, and community are involved in decisions that affect them.
Respond to complaints, concerns, and risks quickly, fairly, and transparently.
Regularly review and improve our practices, learning from feedback and experience.