2GB host Ben Fordham unleashes after parent revealed kids were being forced to do Acknowledgement to Country at daycare
Parents say their children, as young as three, are being forced to participate in daily Acknowledgement to Country ceremonies at daycare, sparking outrage.
Possums’ Corner Child Care Centre at Lane Cove on Sydney’s lower north shore is among many daycare facilities that commemorate the cultural ritual, which has divided Australians.
Parents were shocked to learn about the ‘not age-appropriate’ activity mentioned in a weekly recap sent out by Possums’ Corner, which charges up to $165 per child per day.
As part of the daily routine to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, children gather in a ‘yarning circle to share stories, play music and dance around a pretend campfire.’
‘These experiences help the children connect with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in a meaningful and respectful way,’ the weekly recap stated.
‘We remain committed to fostering an environment that recognises and respects Indigenous peoples’ past, present and emerging, as the continual custodians of this land.’
2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham weighed in on the furore on Monday after he received an email from a concerned parent at Possums’ Corner.
‘We had no idea that it was going on – we’re talking about kids aged three and four,’ the email stated.
Children as young as three take part in daily Welcome to Country ceremonies at Possums’ Corner Child Care Centre at Lane Cove
Debate about the ‘overuse’ of Welcome to Country ceremonies has been reignited
‘Plainly, this isn’t age-appropriate, and we would much rather our children engage in other topics to get them ready for school.’
The parent clarified that the ceremony does have a place in society, but believed they were ‘overused’ at the otherwise ‘wonderful’ childcare centre.
Fordham agreed and described the growing use of the ceremonies as ‘virtue signalling’.
‘I just don’t know how we went from doing these things at the start of significant events to every time the kids go to daycare,’ he told listeners.
‘There’s a time and a place for everything, but not every damn day!’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Possums’ Corner for comment.
The centre acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on its website.
‘We pay tribute to their continuing culture and we pay our respects to all Elders past and present,’ it states.
‘There’s a time and a place for everything but not every damn day!’ Ben Fordham told listeners
The debate sparked a divided response on social media.
‘That’s not teaching kids that this is their country too and to be proud to be Australian, it’s teaching division,’ one woman commented.
Another added: ‘They were born less than five years ago, they don’t need to endure this. They were born here. Ridiculous.’
Some suggested that there were more important things to teach, following a recent spate of male childcare workers being charged with child sex offences.
‘How about teaching them about people who shouldn’t touch their private parts and to tell someone if they do, that would be better,’ one wrote.
But others pointed out that the Welcome to Country ceremony is conducted in many childcare centres.
Parents have expressed concerns about the ‘overuse’ of Welcome to Country ceremonies at daycare
‘I think you will find this is daily practice in all daycare centres around the country it is part of the curriculum and a national requirement,’ a childcare worker commented.
Conservative think tank Institute of Public Affairs recently surveyed 1,004 Aussies, where 56 per cent believed that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become divisive
Just 17 per cent disagreed.
