Participant to Tutor

Employing HIPPY parents as Home Tutors is one of the Five Essential Features of the HIPPY program. Having parents support their peers through the two years at HIPPY provides a number of benefits, including an understanding of other parents' experiences.

Parents and Tutors bring their own strengths, skills and knowledge that enhances the program. Many also bring deep cultural knowledge and understanding that provides invaluable when working with their communities.

Below, read about one Tutor's journey at HIPPY Broken Hill.

Broken Hill HIPPY is situated in a remote mining town in Far Western NSW, approximately 500 kilometres from the nearest capital city, Adelaide.

Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Service proudly serves as a provider for the HIPPY, achieving 100% Indigenous enrolment rate. Our commitment extends beyond education; we actively work to connect HIPPY Families with essential health and educational resources to foster holistic development and wellbeing within the community.

At the beginning of 2025, a Kokatha/Banggarla woman joined the HIPPY Broken Hill Team as a Tutor. A proud Aboriginal mother and sole parent to four children, this was her first experience with employment. However, her connection to HIPPY began long before stepping into this role.

Having completed the HIPPY program with all four of her children, she developed a deep love and respect for the program’s core values. She witnessed firsthand the positive impact it had on her children’s early learning journey, setting strong foundations for their future education. This lived experience and passion became the driving force behind her success as a Tutor.

Now, as a HIPPY Tutor, she brings her heart, culture, and unwavering commitment into every interaction. Her authentic approach and shared experiences have built trust with families who were once hesitant to engage. Where previous tutors struggled to connect (often unable to even get through the front door) she is now warmly welcomed into homes. Parents who once felt uncomfortable with role play are now actively participating and even requesting additional resources to support their children’s learning.

Her ability to relate to the parents she works with has been fundamental. She goes above and beyond, not only delivering the HIPPY curriculum but also helping families navigate the complexities of preschool life. Recognising the importance of cultural identity, she has recently included local Aboriginal language elements into some of the HIPPY packs, enriching the learning experience for both parents and children, linking in HIPPY outcomes.

This journey has not only empowered the families she works with; it has also inspired her own aspirations. Motivated by her experiences and the joy of teaching, she now has her sights set on completing a Certificate IV in Early Childhood Education and also a Certificate IV in Early Language and Literacy.

Her story is a powerful example of how HIPPY creates a ripple effect: empowering one mother to grow into a leader and, in turn, uplifting an entire community of families.

Find out more about the work of Maari Ma on their webpage and Facebook page .

Read more about the HIPPY Tutor role on the Become a Tutor page .