Photo- L to R – Catherine Threlfall, Alicia and Nate Harding, Tanya Panuccio with her daughter Nella
Families from Red Cliffs and beyond participated in the free music, movement and play sessions offered through the Red Cliffs Early Years Hub Outreach Program that ran for six weeks during July-August. Facilitated by music therapist and educator Catherine Threlfall, these sessions provide multi-layered benefits for children aged 0-5 and their parents and carers through sharing the joy and experience of creating music and singing together while getting to know other families in a relaxed environment.
Catherine said that these sessions help families discover how simple music can be as a tool for connection and wellbeing. They encourage both children and adults to engage with music in a relaxed and accessible way, noting research shows that when caregivers participate in music with children, the experience helps build lifelong confidence and willingness to make music.
Beyond supporting children’s development, the sessions help families build social connections within their community. Catherine said music naturally brings people together and can help break down barriers between strangers. “When you’ve sung a silly song together and had a laugh, it’s much easier to turn to a person next to you and introduce yourself.”
“The shared experience of having fun, and just that beautiful, honest breathing together and singing together is a really great starting point for that connection.”
This outreach program has been designed by the Hub Leadership Group with support from Hands Up Mallee. The sessions also present an opportunity for families to explore the resources and services available at the hub. The Leadership Group is made up of local parents, carers and service providers who come together to guide decisions about the programs offered, how the community space is used, and the planning and delivery of programs and outreach activities. They also play an important role in welcoming new families into the hub.
Local Parents and Hub Leadership Group Representatives – Emily Jamieson and Montana Treffene. welcoming families at Sunraysia Toy Library at Red Cliffs Early Years Hub
Through the Hub Leadership Group, local families continue to guide decisions on which programs are offered, how the community space is used, contributing to the planning and delivery of outreach activities, and welcoming other families into the hub.
Local parent and Parent Advisory Group member Tanya Panuccio shared her experience. “It’s wonderful to be able to attend the sessions in Red Cliffs, especially when you’re dropping off children at the kinder anyway and you’re already here. You don’t have to go into town. It’s nice to be able to sit down and talk, and the children are engaged, and parents can also have a nice chat.”
The Red Cliffs Music Outreach Program is funded through the Federal Government’s Local Solutions Fund. The program supports innovative, community-led initiatives ideas through a co-design process with the Hub Leadership Group, bringing together families and service providers to pilot and test solutions that reflect local priorities, lived experience and community needs.