HIPPY graduates celebrated at Nambucca Valley ceremony

GRADUATES of the 2025 HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) program were celebrated with a ceremony at the Nambucca Heads cinema on Sunday, 7 December.

Held in the Nambucca Valley and delivered by Miimi Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, HIPPY is a two-year in-home learning program for families with children aged three to four, designed to build early learning skills and strengthen parenting confidence.

Funded by the Federal Department of Social Services, HIPPY has operated nationally for 25 years, reaching over 28,500 families, and is now active at 100 sites, with half focused on First Nations communities.

For the past 11 years, the program has been making a lasting impact in the Nambucca Valley, helping more than 300 families engage in early learning at home.

At Sunday’s graduation, Miimi Aboriginal Corporation’s HIPPY Program Coordinator Sophie Ellis said the celebration was not only about the children, but also the parents and carers who dedicated themselves to the program.

“Every child, every parent and every team member who is part of Nambucca Valley HIPPY has worked incredibly hard to get to graduation, and that should be celebrated,” she said.

“The beauty of HIPPY is that it puts tools, training and support in the hands of parents and carers to learn at home with their child, spending more regular quality time together.”

Sophie highlighted that each of the 18 graduates would now enter school ahead of the curve, having already developed a love of learning and with families who are actively engaged in their education.

“We’d like to congratulate everyone who participated this year,” she said.

“We know they’re ready to shine.”

Although unable to be at the ceremony, Brotherhood of St. Laurence HIPPY Senior Manager Siska Frederick told News Of The Area that the long-term success of the program was evident across families and communities.

“We are so proud of every graduate, both the child and their caregivers,” she said.

“We know that parents and carers are often their child’s most important teacher, inspiring a love of learning and seeding social connections with the community and early childhood development system.”

In his address at the ceremony, Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee praised the local program and the efforts of Miimi Aboriginal Corporation.

“This community should be incredibly proud that more than 300 families have been supported through HIPPY in the Nambucca Valley,” he said.

Speaking directly to the children, he added, “Your curiosity, your energy, and your excitement remind us all of why learning matters.”

The Mayor also acknowledged the commitment of parents.

“Balancing work, home and daily life is not easy.

“Your dedication strengthens not only your household but the entire community,” he said, before wishing the families a Merry Christmas and encouraging them to view the graduation as the beginning of a bright and joyful journey.

By Mick BIRTLES