Our story
About Us - Aboriginal Teaching Resources
Yarn Strong Sista, after 23 years of experience and excellence, specialise and offer a range of services including visits to Early Childhood environments to facilitate storytelling and arts workshops with children, hosting Professional Development training for Educators, facilitating arts experiences and face-painting at festivals and events, and providing First Nations designed resources and educational tools on our website.
We work beyond Early Years, customising our programs to meet the curriculum needs of Primary and Secondary students, and work in community contexts supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Resources include: Artefacts, Dolls, Children’s Music, Children’s Books, Games, Felt Hand and Finger Puppets, Felt Mats for Storytelling, Puzzles, and Teachers Resource Guides.
We have expanded into three other projects- Foregrounding Anti Bias Perspectives-Yarn Strong Brutha-Enterprise for Empowerment.
Customers yarning up !
Our services
aboriginal education resource centre - what we sell
Testimonial
Peter Kaszubski
2024-07-15
Thanks for coming to Wesley College today.
Pize Limwathanagura
2024-07-07
Lovely store! Many interesting aboriginal stories, culture, and books. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn more about aboriginal culture
Marcelalah
2024-06-29
Annette Sax, the heart and soul behind Yarn Strong Sista, embodies a profound commitment to fostering understanding and connection through her beautiful shop near Victoria Market. My recent visit was serendipitous yet transformative, as it unfolded into a rich tapestry of hospitality and cultural immersion.
Our journey began at the Koorie Heritage Trust, where the store Yarn Strong Sista surfaced as a location of interest into Indigenous perspectives relevant to Early Childhood Education. Intrigued, my university peers and I found ourselves drawn to Yarn Strong Sista, hoping to explore resources but discovering so much more.
From the moment we entered, Annette’s warmth and genuine passion for her work were palpable. Her welcoming embrace extended beyond mere hospitality; it was an invitation to engage deeply with Australia’s First Peoples’ culture and heritage. As a professional in the sector, I deeply appreciated her openness to sharing knowledge, especially her expertise in Indigenous history and its implications for early childhood education being unexpectedly shared in great depth. A yarn that I will treasure forever.
The shop itself was a revelation — a haven of ethically sourced items that not only showcased craftsmanship but also celebrated cultural narratives. Each piece seemed to resonate with stories of resilience and reverence, making them perfect for bringing back to enrich the lives of the children we work with.
Annette’s guidance was invaluable as she navigated us through the store, upcoming events and more offering insights on how these treasures could serve as meaningful educational tools. Her passion for creating awareness through cultural exchange was inspiring, reflecting a dedication that transcends mere commerce.
I left Yarn Strong Sista profoundly enriched, not only by the treasures my peers and I carried but by the encounter with Annette herself. Her presence is a testament to the transformative power of genuine connection and cultural exchange. For anyone seeking more than just a shopping experience, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Yarn Strong Sista’s new location. There, you will not only find beautifully crafted resources but also encounter a remarkable individual whose spirit and knowledge are a gift to behold.
Angie Kiran
2024-06-28
Annette and Bob are lovely. Very helpful and community oriented. Great range of childrens books in a broad range of languages like Bengali, Pashto, Tamil, Chinese and Portugese.
Richard & Jo-Anne Morel
2024-06-21
Had a Workshop today with YSS. Sammy was a great storyteller in sharing her life as an Educator, mother and FirstNations women. The online PD had informative slides and was interactive at the same time. The YSS organisation was great with getting materials and tech working for our team to be able to share this PD. The team enjoyed the hands on experience and pedagogy of teacher as learner, which we continually strive to be. Thank you.
Jo Morel
Ned Leader FCCC
Jade Holyman
2024-05-18
Yarn Strong Sista is an incredible gift to our community. Annette and Bob are a wealth of knowledge and education. I learn something new every time I come here! Their professional development days are incredible for pre-service teachers, Educators, and experienced teachers alike. Anyone who wants to learn more and connect with the First Nations communities of Victoria should visit and have a yarn.
The photos are from Annettes traditional and contemporary games PD day! A brilliant learning experience for teaching children in fun and creative ways.
Yue S
2024-05-16
Rich cultural environment and friendly service. Definitely will visit often:)
Jane O’Connell
2024-05-13
I attended an absolutely fantastic Aboriginal Culture Awareness Training session. Our entire team enjoyed yarning with Annette Sax who is a very engaging presenter and storyteller. She is skilled at sharing stories and making them relevant to a diverse audience. We’ve all left having learnt alot and feel empowered to take next steps in sharing our learnings with our local Toy Library communities. We enjoyed our some hands-on learning making bush bouquets too! Thoroughly recommend.
L Ugur
2024-05-11
I am a student studying a subject regarding understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. I had an interview with Annette (owner/Education and Creative Art Director) and discussed the useful resources and programs offered by Yarn Strong Sista. I highly recommend utilising these invaluable resources.
Lorraine Cotter
2024-05-08
We had the privilege of attending a storytelling session at the new Yarn Strong Sista (YSS) City Store on Invasion Day. Annette brought to life the contemporary story “Bartja and Mayila,” written by Yorta Yorta author Aunty Dr. Sue Atkinson and illustrated by Annette herself. My son Liam and I learned a lot and truly enjoyed the engaging storytelling and Aboriginal art session. A heartfelt thanks to Annette for sharing her knowledge and talents and creating such a wonderful experience. Congratulations again on the new city store location, conveniently located across from Victoria Market. It truly is a treasure trove of amazing, beautiful and ethical resources for early childhood services, professionals, families, and communities. We look forward to returning soon! ❤️
Our Best Selling Products
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Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resources, Artefacts
Wood Burnt Clap Stick Set (2 Sticks)
- $45.50 – $55.00 inc. GST
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