Wendy Notley, an early childhood trained teacher… and a whitefulla, began working at Murawina Aboriginal Child Care Centre in Eveleigh St, Redfern (aka The Block) in 1990 ...and her relationship with Community continues today. After  years of immersion in community, Wendy wrote  some songs to sing with the Koori kids in her class that included aspects of culture that she was permitted to share. The children loved them, Murawina women loved them and Community loved them, too. Murawina asked Wendy to record and share her songs because they were 'just too deadly not to share'.

The Growin’ Up Strong CD was independently produced and launched on The Block at Murawina after an 18 month consultation process with 11 Aboriginal communities from around Australia. Written permission was received for the inclusion of language names and words in the song lyrics. The band was named, Aunty Wendy’s Mob by Uncle Gerry Bostock. "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 90’s and is how Wendy is known in many communities around NSW." Delma Davison, President NSW ATSIECSAG. Growin’ Up Strong was signed to ABC for KIDS and nominated by APRA for Best Children’s Album. The Growin’ Up Strong Teacher Resource Book & Picture Book Set (4 titles, illustrated by Aboriginal artists) was published and launched at Murawina after an 18 month consultation process with NSW ATSIECSAG, NSW AECG and Aboriginal educators regarding inclusion of cultural information in the Resource Book. 

Aunty Wendy’s Mob interactive, musical theatre Performance was developed in response to educators not knowing how to share the Aunty Wendy’s Mob songs in the learning environment. Through song, dance and imagination, the performance connects the heart to First nations culture, honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and educates non-Aboriginal children and teachers, celebrating culture through experiences that all children can relate to. Wendy was invited to present Training Workshops at SNAICC; ISPSU; ATSIECSAG and C & K Conferences and performed for NAIDOC - Gold Coast. Wendy continued to volunteer in community and perform in early childhood services and schools.

The happy to be me CD was recorded following a 2 year consultation process with 32 Aboriginal and TSI communities. Wendy received written permission to include language names and words in the song lyrics. The happy to be me  - Teacher Resource Book was published after an 18 month consultation process with NSW ATSIECSAG, NSW AECG and respected Aboriginal educators regarding inclusion of cultural information in the Resource Book. Wendy continued to volunteer in community and perform in early childhood services and schools.

Wendy was asked by Redfern Aboriginal Children’s Service to write a song for the ‘Parent Infant Foundation Australia’ DVD highlighting positive mothering. ‘MAMA’ was independently produced. Wendy also produced, ‘The Wheels on the Holden’ and ‘kangaroo rock’ DVD's. The happy to be me – Picture Book Set (8 titles - illustrated by Aboriginal artists) was published. The publishing rights have reverted back to Wendy. Wendy continued volunteer in community and perform in early childhood services and schools.

The ‘ridge-i-didge’ and ‘special land’ music clips (happy to be me CD) were independently produced; the Eveleigh St verse of ‘Red, Black & Yellow’ was filmed on The Block and Wendy's seeking funding to film the remaining 3 verses. Wendy performed at MCA in Sydney as part of the Martu Exhibition, ‘We Don’t Need A Map’ and Aunty Wendy’s Mob opened YABUN in Sydney…a huge honour! Wendy continues to perform in early childhood services and schools. She presents dynamic Training Workshops, inspiring educators with practical, ways to integrate and extend the Aunty Wendy's Mob songs in the Learning Environment.

In 2015 Wendy was forced to ‘pull back’ from her extensive volunteer work due to a thyroid illness but continues to donate to Community. She still performs, four days a week.

Social change happens through education. It’s a slow process.

It takes time.

The education of every child, one day at a time, maps the way . . .