Around 350 languages are spoken in homes across Australia, yet we see ourselves as an English-speaking country.

And we tend to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures primarily through English and Western concepts.

Let’s challenge this dominance of English.

My Language My Country is a six-part series that asks what changes when we approach Country through the many languages we speak.

1. Why is English dominance a problem?
2. How are cultural ideas and concepts embedded in language?
3. And what does embracing multilingualism look and sound like?
4. Why is it important for migrants and new settlers to support First Nations language revival?

We explore how people are engaging with First Nations ways of being, building solidarities, and imagining what ethical belonging might look like.

This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People.

Hosted by Elaine Laforteza and created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network.

The producer is Masako Fukui.

This podcast is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project, featuring an audio library of Acknowledgments in 40+ languages, as well as videos and stories highlighting why this practice matters.

My Language My Country is the first season of UTS Impact Studios’ Change the Story podcast.

Special thanks to An Le, Lucie Vayriot, Leah Subijano, Melissa May, Tiffany Dimmack, Claudia Taranto, And Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios. Artwork by Alexandra Morris.

Life’s Lottery is changing.

Change the Story is the next chapter - a podcast about what it takes to create real social change.

Where Life’s Lottery explored how inequality shapes our lives, Change the Story asks the next question: what are we doing about it?

Hosted by Amy Persson from the University of Technology Sydney, hear stories from people working to change systems from the ground up: community leaders, researchers, activists and practitioners.

Through short series and special conversations, you’ll hear big ideas, urgent debates, and practical examples of community-led solutions in action.

My Language My Country

Around 350 languages are spoken in Australian homes every day.

How can language reshape how we connect with Country and First Nations cultures?

Change the Story is produced by UTS Impact Studios, and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

Jeni Whalan hosts a discussion on the recent commitments from both NSW and Victoria to deliver a year of universal play-based learning for children in the year before they start school.

As well as transforming early childhood education, the goal is to build the sector workforce and further boost productivity by better supporting working parents.

Leslie Loble, the co-chair of the Council on Early Childhood Development and Amanda Robbins, Managing Director of Equity Economics, outline the significance of the announcement and what it’s going to take to deliver this ‘triple dividend’ over the next ten years.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

In this bonus episode, hosts Jeni Whalan and Glyn Davis examine the insights gained across this season of conversations about putting children at the centre of good public policy.

They discuss the frustrating gap between knowledge and action when it comes to shifting the dial towards more positive outcomes for all kids.

Without political leadership, meaningful consultation and targeted, place-based responses, many well-intentioned measures fail to make an impact. So is there now enough momentum to bring about real change?

We also hear from young people from the Northern Rivers region of NSW who, on top of pandemic disruptions, have also had to cope with devastating floods.

Mullumbimby’s Spaghetti Circus, an arts and community engagement organisation, was inundated with water and mud. Members of the Circus community lost their homes, schools and businesses. Performers, Ellen, Maxine, Malaika and Laima share their hopes and fears for the future.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

‘Never again’ were words that echoed around the world in the wake of the second world war.

Organisations were formed with the explicit aim of respecting and promoting international cooperation, aid and development. Only a few decades later, we have seen the first increase in poverty for a generation. Why?

And why does inequality, conflict, and the impact of natural disasters still have such a disproportionate impact on children, especially those forced to leave the countries they call home?

Kevin Watkins has spent his career speaking up for marginalised people in some of the world’s poorest countries.

As a former CEO of Save the Children UK, and now as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, he gives a scathing assessment of global leadership and calls for a return to the ideals of mutual responsibility to deliver a better and more sustainable future. But there’s also cause for hope as young people find their voice, organise across borders, and speak truth to power in greater numbers.

In an excerpt from The Wait podcast, we also hear what it's like for child refugees like Marzia Yosufi and Sara Rezaei.

Now young women, they have spent years marking time in Indonesia, waiting for a chance to be resettled and to be able to continue their education, and their childhood. This excerpt contains references to suicide, so please listen with care.

With thanks to: Kevin Watkins, Marzia Yosufi, Sara Rezaei.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

First Nations children in Australia are some of the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised in our society. But they’re also on a journey of discovery, healing and strength through culture in response to the devastating impact of colonisation.

Our guest host for this episode is Leila Smith, the CEO of the Aurora Education Foundation, which works to improve the educational outcomes of Indigenous students.

Leila sits down with two other change-makers, Lawyer, Mum and former care-kid, Kirsten Gray, and Barrister and campaigner Tim Goodwin.

What’s working and what’s not to improve the odds for Indigenous kids? How does a deeper understanding of culture, language, truth-telling and reconciliation benefit us all, but most importantly our future generations?

We also hear from the Ngaalang Moort: Lullabies from Home initiative. Since 2017 Community Arts Network has worked alongside Noongar artists, Elders and their families to shape the Lullabies program across Noongar Boodja, the south west of Western Australia.

Over the past 6 years, more than 50 original songs have been written and recorded in Noongar language by Noongar families.

The Lullabies project imagines a future where all Noongar children grow up being lulled to sleep with songs sung in their traditional language. We hear from Noongar musicians Phil Bartlett and Charmaine Councillor, along with Charmaine’s niece, Mika Bennell about the songs that celebrate moort (family), koort (heart), woonya (love) and a legacy for all. The lullabies project is supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program and the Australia Council for the Arts.

With thanks to: Leila Smith, Kirsten Gray, Tim Goodwin, Charmaine Councillor, Phil Barlett, Mika Bennell, Elly Jones and the Community Arts Network.

Music Credits:

1. Ruby’s Lullaby: Written and performed by Phyllis Bennell
2. Kaya Maaman Hello Daddy: By Phyllis Bennell and Mika Bennell
3. Kwobidak Koolang Beautiful Child: Written by Sharyn Egan, Phil Bartlett and Charmaine Councillor. Performed by Sharyn Egan.
4. Wargada To Search: Written by Megan Ugle and Charmaine Councillor. Performed by Megan Ugle and Trevor Ryan.
5. Rock-a-bye Lullaby: Written by: Cherie Slater, Ilija Jacobs, Lola McDowell, Megan Ugle, Tammy Prior, Charmaine Councillor and Phil Bartlett. Performed by Phil Bartlett and the Ngaalang Moort Singers.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

We know what children need in their first five years to develop to their full potential, so why isn’t action around this at the top of the national agenda?

Former Premier and South Australian Minister for Children, Jay Weatherill, leads the Thrive by Five campaign, which seeks to change that. He’s advocating for a universal, high quality childcare system for all Australian children.

What would it take to get the states and the Commonwealth to cooperate and hasten the pace of reform to improve kids’ outcomes and better support parents and carers?

Ebony Curtis also shares her story of becoming a mum for the first time at 15. What's it like to navigate pregnancy and raising children when you’re not an adult yourself? As a young parent who has pursued her education and career dreams, while adding to her family, Ebony also lends her lived experience to the work of The Brave Foundation.

Brave works to support teens in their communities to become the parents they want to be, while also juggling their own education and other needs.

With thanks to: Jay Weatherill, Ebony Curtis, Brave Foundation

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for developmental outcomes and long term health. Paediatrician and leading child health researcher, Professor Sharon Goldfeld, argues we need a radical redesign of how families can be best supported during a child’s early years.

She outlines the need for creativity in public policies to address the growing disparities in child health and wellbeing - and she’s excited about the possibilities.

We also visit the Think+DO Tank in Western Sydney, a neighbourhood hub that brings together creatives, psychologists, and multilingual community connectors to craft innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of belonging, mental health, wellbeing, and literacy faced by migrant communities.

With thanks to: Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Think+Do Tank, especially Marian Abboud, Afaf Al-Shmmari, Maysoon Shinawas, Shahad Alsaad, Harri Harding, and the students at Marsden Road Public School.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

We debrief the 2022 Federal Budget to explore how children are reflected in the national economic plan.

Amanda Robbins and Alicia Mollaun from Equity Economics share their analysis of the implications for kids and families and explore how the Budget process could better deliver big picture reform for those without a seat at the table, or a vote at the ballot box.

As some nations explore the use of child-centred budgets, what’s the best way to use this annual accounting process and public spending to inform good social policy and make real improvement to kids’ lives?

This episode is rounded off with a catchy rap written by primary school boys in Western Sydney as part of the Respect program which focuses on educating kids about the nature and causes of family and domestic violence.

Tevita Ngata, now 15 years old, reflects on his experience participating in the program run by Outloud, an intersectional, CALD-focused social impact arts organisation that creates meaningful opportunities for young people in Western Sydney.

With thanks to: Amanda Robbins, Alicia Mollaun, Tevita Ngata, Craig Taunton and the Outloud team.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson

We live in a wealthy nation but the experiences of Australian children are diverse, with many experiencing real challenges in their everyday lives. Two years into the pandemic, there are strong concerns about the impact on kids and the cost to their wellbeing, especially for those who were already behind.

We hear from National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, who is calling for a concerted effort to elevate the rights, needs and voices of children in the national conversation. She wants action around systems that affect our kids and she’s putting political leaders and policy makers on notice.

We also meet Kaytlyn Johnson, a student and musician from north-west Tasmania.

Kaytlyn, a Palawa woman and the 2022 Young Tasmanian of the Year, offers her observations on navigating the challenges faced by young Australians.

This podcast is now called Change the Story.

For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids

Produced by UTS Impact Studios

1. Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
2. Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
3. Researcher/writer: Jackie May
4. Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
5. Graphic design: Celia Neilson