Aboriginal Services

HIPPY

 

HIPPY is a free early education program
based in Murray Bridge and the Riverland

We provide resources and fun opportunities for young people 3 to 4 years of age to reach their potential.

Tutors visit with resources weekly for children to use and explore. We are a community that supports each other and has fun with our kids.

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based, early learning and parenting program that empowers you to be your child’s first teacher and supports your child’s transition to school.

Join thousands of families doing HIPPY across Australia. You will receive free resources, activity packs and storybooks to assist you in actively playing and learning with your child.

We hope that you enjoy working with your tutor, meeting other HIPPY families and doing HIPPY with your child.

WHAT DOES HIPPY LOOK LIKE?

HIPPY comprises a curriculum of activity packs over two years.

Your HIPPY tutor will practice the activities with you, using role play in a weekly home visit in Age 3 and a fortnightly visit in Age 4.

Each pack has five activities for you to do with your child as well as ideas so that learning can happen everywhere at any time.

The packs support your child’s learning in the following areas: Thinking and exploring; Communication; Creativity; Social and emotional; Family and community.

 

 

WHAT IS A HIPPY TUTOR?

Tutors are parents who are also doing HIPPY with their child or have recently graduated from HIPPY.

Your HIPPY tutor is trained in the HIPPY activities and will practice the activities with you at each home visit.

Your HIPPY child does not have to be there when the tutor visits. You can meet your tutor at home or somewhere else, like a park or a library. After this, you do the activities with your child.

YOU WILL ALSO ATTEND REGULAR GROUP MEETINGS

Group meetings give parents a chance to learn more about their children’s development and behaviour and to find out about local services, schools and free local activities. Parents can also participate in training and short courses for FREE.

You’ll meet new families and make friends and there is usually good food and coffee. You can relax and chat while your children play supervised with other HIPPY children.

The best part is recent research has found that families’ participation at group meetings improves children’s school readiness.

HIPPY Australia and ac.care acknowledge past, present and emerging Elders and Traditional Owners of the lands and seas across Australia.

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence holds the licence to operate HIPPY in Australia.

 

Your Murray Bridge HIPPY coordinator is:

Kayla Borchardt
p 0487 561 182
e Kayla.Borchardt@accare.org.au

Your Riverland HIPPY coordinator is:

Katisha Jackson
p 0438 202 412
e Katisha.Jackson@accare.org.au

Contact us

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STAY

 

The STAY service provides support and opportunities to Aboriginal young people aged 10-19 years.

STAY involves individual and group activities with ac.care staff.
Everyone is welcome and included to:

  • Make more friends and build relationships
  • Enjoy group activities
  • Have fun
  • Try new things
  • Learn health and wellbeing life skills
  • Identify and work towards life goals
  • Learn from each other
  • Develop new interests
  • Be supported when you’re going through challenging times
  • Strengthen cultural identity

Your Riverland STAY youth worker is:

Tenesha Pickering
p 08 8580 5300
e Tenesha.Pickering@accare.org.au

Your Murraylands STAY youth worker is:

Kye Anderson
p 08 8531 4900
e Kye.Anderson@accare.org.au

 

ac.care️ 1 day ago

Wednesday's NAIDOC Week community breakfast and children's activities at Mount Gambier/Berrin has been postponed due to expected extreme weather 🥶⛈☔️ In the meantime, let's connect on Country at one of the other local events being held to celebrate NAIDOC Week 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 #accare #WalkingTogether #NAIDOC2025

ac.care️ 1 day ago

National NAIDOC Week has arrived 🥳 Celebrate, connect and learn at one of the many community events being held across the Riverland, Murraylands and Limestone Coast 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 The 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week marks a major milestone in its history and recognises the past achievements of Aboriginal people. This year's theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy also captures a hopefulness and vision for the future, built on the legacy of ancestors. How will you celebrate NAIDOC Week? Here's some suggestions: 📍 Attached are the programs for NAIDOC Week activities in the Riverland, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier – be part of all or any of the activities 💬 Take time to connect with Aboriginal people in your life and ask them about NAIDOC Week and what it means to them 📺 Make an effort to learn! SBS and NITV are excellent sources of inspiring and thought-provoking programs especially during NAIDOC Week, but a quick Google search on topics like inspirational Aboriginal people and NAIDOC Week is also easy to do 📱 Look for inspirational Aboriginal role models and follow them on social media (there's heaps of artists, musicians, media personalities) 🎶 Create a Spotify playlist featuring Aboriginal artists and enjoy! #accare #WalkingTogether #NAIDOC2025

ac.care️ 3 days ago

National NAIDOC Week starts tomorrow and there are plenty of events to celebrate and connect with culture across Mount Gambier/Berrin 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 Gather at the Cave Garden/Thugi on Monday morning for a Mayoral Reception and Flag Raising Ceremony, followed by the annual street march to Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation 😊 Get involved in NAIDOC Week 2025 - an important celebration of the contributions, achievements, and deadliness of Aboriginal people. #accare #WalkingTogether #NAIDOC2025

ac.care️ 4 days ago

🔸🔷 ADVANCED NOTICE: The ac.care Berri and Mount Gambier community centres will open later on Monday, July 7 🔷🔸 We encourage you to join our local staff in attending NAIDOC Week community events in the morning. All enquiries can be directed to our head office on (08) 8724 5400. Thank you for your understanding. Embrace this year's theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy and take part in this week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their history, culture, and achievements 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 #accare #WalkingTogether #NAIDOC2025

ac.care️ 5 days ago

Celebrate and experience First Nations culture on the banks of the River Murray during the Riverland Naidoc Week Family Fun Day 🥳 When: Monday, July 7 from 12:30-3:30pm 🕰 Where: Berri Riverfront 📍 Free event, all welcome! 😊 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 #accare #WalkingTogether #NAIDOC2025

ac.care️ 5 days ago

Riverland Naidoc Week celebrations start Sunday 🖤💛❤️🖤🤍💚💙 2025 marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week, a massive milestone, so join in these local events and celebrate The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy 🔥 #accare #WalkingTogether

ac.care️ 6 days ago

Join in the NAIDOC Week events on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe and celebrate the contributions, achievements, and deadliness of Aboriginal people 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 #accare #walkingtogether

ac.care️ Updated their cover photo. 1 week ago

National NAIDOC Week - July 6-13 - The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy 🖤💛❤️ 🖤🤍💚💙 2025 marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. Join your local events and activities this NAIDOC Week and connect, celebrate and be proud! Riverland Naidoc Week events: https://bit.ly/RiverlandNAIDOC2025 Ngarrindjeri NAIDOC Week events: https://bit.ly/NgarrindjeriNAIDOC2025 Mount Gambier - Berrin NAIDOC Week events: https://bit.ly/BerrinNAIDOC2025 #accare #WalkingTogether

ac.care️ 2 weeks ago

Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 (July 6-13) at one of five community events across the Coorong ❤️💛🖤💚💙🖤🤍 Embrace this year's theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy and take part in this week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their history, culture, and achievements. #accare #WalkingTogether

ac.care️ 1 month ago

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ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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