"We opened on Reconciliation Day in 1999, so I would think this would make us one of the longest-running pre schools in the area," Tara Dever, CEO of Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council said.

"The plan was to have a big celebration, our birthday and Reconciliation Day combined, invite a few people along - the kids would have loved it - but COVID-19 ruled that out.

"Instead we've had cakes and cupcakes, but certainly not what we'd originally planned."

The school, tucked away off the main road at Metford, didn't have any outrageously lofty goals to begin with, merely to give Indigenous children the same pre-school opportunities as other children.

"We found that with limited places available in pre-schools, our kids were missing out and we wanted to change that. That was the goal," Tara said.

Since then, the goal has evolved into preparing them for "big school", not just as well as other children, but to do it better ... to be ahead of the others

And without wishing to blow their own trumpet, they reckon they're right on track with teaching director Marie De Sousa playing a key role in shaping the next generation.

"We obviously wanted to teach them about their culture, and that meant dance, and painting, language of course," Tara continued.

"But we also wanted them to be open minded and accepting.

"And we did that by accepting not just Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children into the school, but children from other cultures as well.

"We wanted to start teaching them early - and remember, these are kids aged 3 to 6 - to be proud of their culture, but also to want to hear and learn about other cultures too.

"We felt it important that we could prepare the kids to be comfortable talking about their culture to their peers."

The fact that non-Indigenous families, often with limited English, choose Mindaribba for their child's early learning is a point of great satisfaction to the school too.

So, what is it the kids look forward to most in their education?

There's no delay.

"The dance," she says, without a moment's reflection.

"They just love putting on the paint and doing a traditional dance.

"We try to get people around to talk to them - maybe a youth worker, or a policeman or an elder - and often they'll dance to show their appreciation and they absolutely love it.

"They danced at Brough House not long ago, a National Trust building. That was a big occasion for them."

The school can take a total of 60 students and is currently under capacity.

They want to get the word out to parents looking at pre-school options that they're available for further enrolments.

"We would encourage families to come along and pay us a visit. It's a good, welcoming school.

"We're a bit out of the way, but it's worth the effort to come and take a look."