ABSTRACT

This chapter explores relationships with families in the life of a centre and the place of the centre in the life of a community. Examples will be shared from the experiences of the first author in an Australian remote community. Principles of respectful relationships, connectedness, patience and time are all reflected in these shared conversations. The stories reflect the spirit of ‘yarning’ that is central to the kinds of relaxed talk that can happen in easy-going ways with people who are comfortable talking ‘around’ topics on the way to things that are important. Handing ‘the lead’ back and forth between speakers, as in the style being offered here, is reflective of the reciprocal nature of the experiences being explored. Potentially difficult situations are considered while weaving together useful pathways related to the concept of partnerships with families.