Harrietville Bush Kinder (HBK) is up for a Victorian award in recognition of its sharing of Aboriginal culture.

The kinder is a state finalist in the Aunty Rose Bamblett Koorie Early Years Legacy category of the Department of Education’s Victorian Early Years Awards, which celebrate outstanding work from early years professionals.

Harrietville Primary School and Harrietville Bush Kinder principal, Samantha Pellegrini, said she proudly nominated HBK for the award in recognition of the dedicated commitment to embedding Aboriginal perspectives and culture and the Dhudhuroa language into the daily curriculum.

"HBK is a safe and welcoming place where all children can learn and grow," she said.

"The kindergarten works closely with Dhudhuroa Elders to share Aboriginal culture and language, which helps children build respect for First Nations people and their history.

"Children join in Dhudhuroa language days, where they learn new words and ideas through play, songs and stories.

"Teachers use the ‘8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning’ framework to guide their teaching - they include cultural tools like possum skin journals and First Nations storybooks, making learning fun, meaningful and connected to culture.

"The service has strong partnerships with elders, cultural organisations and local Aboriginal wellbeing practitioners.

"These connections help Koorie children feel proud of their identity and support their wellbeing and learning.

"Each year, staff, elders, children and community partners all help update the service’s reconciliation action plan: this shows how everyone can work together to keep language and culture alive for all learners."

In 2020, Dianne Berton from HBK was also finalist in the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year category.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, 6 November.