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Aunty Wendy's Mob songs, interactive Performance & Professional Learning celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
The Aunty Wendy’s Mob songs honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Following two years of national consultation, Wendy, a non-Aboriginal early childhood teacher, obtained written consent from 34 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Councils, Elders, and Land Councils to include their Language names and several Language words in the lyrics of her songs.
“‘Aunty Wendy produced her songs ‘the right way’ by following correct cultural Protocols, making sure that Communities she consulted with felt it was appropriate for her, being non-Aboriginal, to produce the songs and accompanying Resource Book’ (Murawina Aboriginal Education Centre, Redfern)
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“‘I had the songs checked-out for me by some Aboriginal children and their parents. The children loved the songs so much I had trouble getting them back’ (Lyn Riley, Aboriginal Programs Unit, NSW Dept of Education and Training)
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“‘Aunty is a general term used in Aboriginal Community as a sign of acceptance and respect. Aboriginal children have been acknowledging Wendy as ‘Aunty’ since the early 1990’s and is how Wendy is known in many Communities around NSW.’ (NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group)”
“PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Cultural literacy builds pedagogical confidence. Unpacking the cultural content in the lyrics empowers teachers to share them with assurance. Pairing the songs with accompanying actions anchors the lyrics—transforming a passive listening experience into a deeper engagement with the music’s message.
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