Windermere Child and Family Services

Pride Month is observed each June as a time to recognise and learn about the history, experiences and contributions of le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r and other diverse communities 🌈

This month, take the opportunity to learn and understand terms related to gender, sexuality and identity, and reflect on the importance of inclusion in everyday life - in workplaces, schools and communities.

At its core, Pride is about recognising diversity and supporting environments where everyone can feel respected and included. This is at the heart of what we do every day.

National Reconciliation Week reminds us that reconciliation is everybody’s responsibility.

As explained by our Aboriginal Engagement Worker Team, "The question is not whether the work is uncomfortable – it is whether you are willing to remain engaged long enough for meaningful change to occur.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still on their own journey of cultural connection and healing. Prior to colonisation, there were hundreds of distinct Aboriginal nations, clans, and language groups across Australia, each with their own cultures, customs, and ways of knowing. With more than 250 Aboriginal languages and hundreds of dialects traditionally spoken across the nations, many Aboriginal people are still reclaiming and reconnecting with their languages, cultural knowledge, and identity today.

Due to the impacts of colonisation and forced disconnection from culture, many of us are still learning too, and sometimes we may get things wrong along the way. Cultural connections are not always linear, and every person’s journey looks different. Reconciliation and cultural learning are something we are all navigating together, and creating culturally safe spaces means allowing room for growth, learning, and understanding for everyone."

This National Reconciliation Week (NRW) – 27 May to 3 June - we show our support to listen and remain engaged to drive meaningful change.

National Sorry Day, as told by our Aboriginal Engagement Worker Team, "is not simply a symbolic date on a calendar for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. This date carries deep emotional, cultural, and historical significance.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, this day can bring grief, ager, exhaustion, mistrust, pride, resilience, or reflection – often all at once. It can re-open intergenerational trauma connected to the Stolen Generations, dispossession, systemic racism, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. At the same time, it can also create space for visibility, truth-telling, connection, and healing.

Being able to work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and staff during this period requires relational practice. This means listening without defensiveness, creating space for First Nations voices, recognising the impacts of trauma, and understanding that trust is built through consistency and accountability.

Sometimes the most effective support is simply asking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family and staff about what they need during these periods, rather than assuming you already know."

Introducing our History Wall 🌟

This wall was created to celebrate our rich history, recognise how far we’ve come as an organisation, and share our story with staff and community members who may not know the journey behind who we are today.

Over the years, we have:
• Expanded services across Victoria
• Supported communities through natural disasters and COVID-19
• Introduced NDIS, allied health, family violence, and recovery support
• Achieved multiple accreditations recognising quality and safety
• Grown from a small team to more than 300 employees

Along the way, we’ve partnered with communities, supported people through some of life’s most difficult moments, and remained committed to improving outcomes for children, families, and individuals.

This wall is more than a timeline - it’s a reflection of the people, partnerships and communities that have shaped us over the past three decades. Thank you to everyone who makes us who we are every day.

Did you know roughly 1.3 billion people - about 16% of the global population - live with a significant disability? Despite this, approximately 95.9% of top-level internet homepages contain accessibility failures, according to 2026 reports.

We are committed to creating more inclusive experiences for the people and communities we support. That’s why our website includes the Recite Me accessibility and language support toolbar, helping visitors customise their online experience to better suit their individual needs through features such as screen reading, translation, reading aids and styling options.

🔗 www.windermere.org.au

Small changes can make a big difference in helping people feel informed, connected and included.

May 17 marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia — a day to stand together against discrimination and celebrate diversity in all its forms 🌈

At Windermere, we recognise the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, respected and valued. IDAHOBIT is a reminder that inclusion is not just a moment, but an ongoing commitment — in our services, our workplaces and our communities.

We stand with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families and communities, and acknowledge the strength it takes to live authentically in the face of discrimination.

Together, we can continue to listen, learn and take meaningful action toward a more inclusive future 💛

From 11–17 May, we’re recognising National Families Week - a time to celebrate the vital role families play in our lives and across our communities 💛

Led by Families Australia, this week brings together thousands of people and organisations across the country to honour the strength, diversity and connection that families represent. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a playgroup, a morning tea or simply spending time together, Families Week is all about creating moments that bring people closer. Because if it celebrates families — it counts.

The week also includes the International Day of Families on 15 May, today, recognised by the United Nations to highlight the importance of families around the world.

No matter what family looks like for you, this is a chance to reflect on the bonds we share, reconnect with loved ones, and celebrate both the similarities and differences that make every family unique 🌈

How will you celebrate your family this week?

Our Family Day Care Services: www.windermere.org.au/childcare/family-day-care/

Our OSHC Services: www.windermere.org.au/childcare/out-of-school-hours-care/