NCC Early Learners invited proposals from Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists to submit an expression of interest to produce artwork to be included as part of the branding for use by NCC Early Learners in addition to our current logo and to be incorporated as part of our NCC Early Learners corporate branding.
Project Background
NCC Early Learners is a not-for-profit business that brings the best of childcare, education and Christian values to many communities across Queensland. With eight centres in regional Queensland – Buderim, Chinchilla, Kallangur, Kilcoy, Goondiwindi, Nambour, St George and Withcott, we offer the highest standards of early childhood education, care and development.
As a leading provider in childcare and as part of our commitment to reconciliation, respect, and cultural diversity, NCC Early Learners serves to promote understanding, appreciation, and recognition of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, languages, and cultures. By integrating these perspectives into early childhood education, our childcare centres foster a sense of belonging, identity, and pride among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children while promoting cultural awareness and understanding among all children in their care. Additionally, it aligns with Australia’s commitment to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, promoting reconciliation, and fostering a more inclusive society.
Artwork Concept
The purpose of the artwork is to provide a visual representation of the communities of the eight centres in Queensland and the values that each community represents.
The artwork will be displayed at the Head Office of NCC Early Learners in Woombye, and the artwork will be used in the NCC Early Learners Logo, branding, website, promotional materials printed and digital and extended to other items such as uniforms, signage and more.
NCC Early Learners values:
- Integrity – in all that we do
- Respect – of diversity
- Relationships – to build connections
- Security – to continue to grow
- Serve – to give to others
The Artist
Leslie (Gordon) Waraba Lister is a proud Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay aa Kamilaroi man from St George Qld. He is inspired by traditions and the art and stories of his people. He is also Wakka Wakka/ Wulli Wulli through his father’s side and has connections to Eidsvold and surrounding areas in Qld.
Gordon’s paintings tell the stories told to him by his grandmother, mother, aunts and uncles, his own dreaming, and personal experiences. Painting was imparted in Gordon and was always around him, he started painting when he was young. Coming from the circle people, Gordon says painting is his job, to pass stories down and keep the circle going around.
Gordon’s work has been shown at exhibitions in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Surat and Gladstone and features traditional crosshatch, dots, diamonds and lines, which defines where he comes from.
Gordon currently resides in the Gladstone District. In 2023 he was awarded first place as the Local Murri Artist in the prestige art competition by Rio Tinto the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards. He was also nominated for Gladstone’s Australia Day- Art and Cultural Award in 2024.
The Artwork
NCC Early Learners values are represented in the painting by-
- Integrity – three trees take centre stage of this painting and take the viewer on a journey from the coast to the bush just as your centres are located. They stand tall and proud with integrity just like the NCC employee do in all they do.
- Respect – Camps/Yarning Circles are a symbol of respect and are a place where everyone is treated equal. Everyone has the chance to speak and to be heard to ensure they reach their full potential.
- Relationships –The people symbol placed around the eight centres and the NCC main office (top left) represent the people and the relationships that connect families and communities to the service.
- Security – Like NCC Early Learners the trees represent the nurturing and security children need to continue to grow.
- Serve – Meeting places/Yarning Circles are a place of sharing and learning where people give to others.
Large camp symbol to represent the NCC Early Learners organisation and all of the people- children, families and the generations of caring for communities across Queensland.
The three trees seen in the mountains include from left to right a Black Myrtle (Woombye) a Bunya Tree (place of connection/sharing) and the She Oak (whispering along the coast line). The Black Myrtle represents NCC’s head office located at Woombye. The Bunya Tree tries the communities together as a traditional meeting place where mob came from across Australia to share and trade. The She Oak represents story telling as she whispers along the coast line throughout Queensland.
The eight smaller camps that can be seen arched across the top from one side to the next represents the eight NCC services across regional Queensland including Buderim, Chinchilla, Kallangur, Kilcoy, Goondiwindi, Nambour, St George and Withcott.
The eight communities have been connected with a pathway that represents the connection to NCC as a service provider and how each centre withholds the same core values as each other .
The key theme of the mustard seed is represented throughout the painting in the following ways:
- Symbol of Faith. Growth and faith are seen in the form of the three powerful and significant trees. If you have faith, you too will grow big and powerful.
- Humility and Significance- The meeting places/Yarning Circles indicating all are equal no matter the size or status.
- Natural Growth- It takes a village (NCC Early Learners community) to raise a child and the nurturing environments of NCC allow natural growth for all.
- At the bottom a waterway (river) is winding its way from the coast to the bush representing life and growth. The colour changes to match the waterways along the way.
