Goodstart Early Learning, a childcare centre located in Baringa in Stockland Aura, hosted a special mini sports day on Wednesday to send off two local Paralympians heading to Paris in the coming days.

Aura locals and two-time medallists Dr Bridie Kean, who will serve as Deputy Chef de Mission for the Paralympic Games starting on 28 August, and Chris Bond OAM PLY, who will be competing in the wheelchair rugby, were excited to be part of the kindergarten’s activities to celebrate the Paralympic Games.  

As part of the celebrations, young Aura kids were given the opportunity to interview Chris and Bridie, and participate in activities, including mini javelin and making supporter posters.  

Jacky McDonald, Centre Director at Goodstart Early Learning Baringa said they were excited to host this event for the kids to learn about participating in a diverse range of sports no matter the barriers, while celebrating two Aura locals heading to the Paralympic Games in Paris.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring the spirit of sport and participation into our early learning environment, and to engage our kids in a fun and meaningful way,” Ms McDonald said.

“We were especially honoured to welcome Dr Bridie Kean and Chris Bond OAM PLY to our centre to take part in the day. Their presence inspired our kids and provided them with a memorable experience, especially as they cheer on the Australian Paralympians in the coming weeks.”

Stockland Aura Project Director Josh Sondergeld said the event was a chance to support Aura’s local kids and cheer on our champions of the future.

“Gold medal fever was well and truly alive in Aura, with great community support for the event which aimed to inspire local kids to be active and follow their passions,” Mr Sondergeld said.

“It was also a nice opportunity to celebrate Aura locals, Dr Bridie Kean and Chris Bond OAM PLY, who have been recognised for their inspirational achievements on a global stage.”

The event concluded with facepainting and story reading from local primary school Baringa State Primary School students and Chris, who read “Try your best forget the rest.” Mr Bond relived his first time playing wheelchair rugby noting he was “horrible at it when I first started”.

Mr Bond is one of the world’s best 3.5 wheelchair rugby players and helped lead the Australian wheelchair rugby team, the Steelers, to their first Paralympic gold medal when he was on debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, backing it up with another gold in Rio in 2016.

As he prepares for his upcoming journey to Paris, Chris has relished the joy he’s found in inspiring the next generation.

“I have been getting more and more attention from the children at day care during drop offs and pickups and it has been a delight to work with Jacky and her team to get the kids into the Paralympic spirit, volunteering my time to engage with them as a local Australian athlete in the green and gold to foster their excitement during the next few weeks in Paris.” Mr Bond said.

In her role at the Paralympic Games, Bridie Kean told the children that her job would be to use her best listening skills and to help the Australian team in any way she could.

“I might be making sandwiches for the rugby team in the morning and then watch and support all the games in the afternoon,” Ms Kean said.

Dr Kean was a member of the Gliders, the women’s wheelchair basketball team, who took home a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games and silver at the 2012 London Games. In Paris she will take on the role of Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian team, the first time in nearly a decade that the leadership role has been given to a Paralympian.

“It was a privilege to attend the Goodstart celebration. The kids had such amazing questions for Chris and I,” Dr Kean said.

“They loved seeing the medals, which are now many years older than them but still are such a special thing to share with this generation who left yesterday knowing more about para-sport and the opportunities that exist for kids with a disability to play sport.

“I am passionate about advocating for equality in sport and today was all about planting that seed early. I loved listening to and answering the inquisitive little questions. I am excited to advocate and encourage young people to participate in all sports no matter their ability,” Dr Kean added.

More information on the Aura community can be found at: www.stockland.com.au/residential/qld/aura

About Aura

Aura is Australia’s largest masterplanned community and is currently home to more than 10,000 residents. On completion, Aura will have over 200 kilometres of walking paths and cycling veloways, connecting the community and encouraging residents to live active and healthy lifestyles. It will also feature its own Central Park, a 120-hectare regional park, 10 sporting grounds as well as parks and playgrounds within 400m walking distance of every home, linking residential areas to local employment precincts, schools, the city centre and local neighbourhood retail centres.

About Goodstart Early Learning Baringa

Goodstart Early Learning Baringa is a $3.7 million centre featuring a 952 square metre outdoor play environment,located directly opposite Baringa State Primary School. The centre offers two kindergarten programs with early childhood teachers in both and offer Bush Kinder as well as a sports program weekly. 

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