From the Duke of Edinburgh Award & Outdoor Education Coordinators

From the Duke of Edinburgh Award & Outdoor Education Coordinators

“What are you mob doing?”

A simple question, posed to us with enthusiasm and an air of hope from a young local, football in-hand; eager for us to join in for some play on the oval. It was an excellent example of the warmth and welcome extended to our Year 11 students taking part in their Gold Dukes Residential Project at Wurrumiyanga, Tiwi Islands.

Now into the College’s second decade of visits, our students attended the island to volunteer within the Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School and visit some key cultural and spiritual destinations within the truly unique community; one which has almost seamlessly melded Catholic faith into their own rich culture. It is indeed a dramatic change of pace from the lives our students lead, in the hustle and bustle of the Adelaide city centre.

Sr Anne Gardiner, now 94 years young, has called the Island home for more than 60 years. For Sr Anne, our annual visits herald both new personal connections and the opportunity to share stories and convey deep appreciation for our school’s Mercy contributions that are present around the community, from the impressive Patakijiyali Museum to the Frangipani Café. During our trip this year, Sr Anne extended a very generous invitation to attend a dinner party at her house, with other visitors, locals, school leadership, Church priests and parishioners in attendance. The occasion celebrated a milestone for her current labour of love; restoring the island’s historic ‘Old’ church. It was truly touching to listen to the speeches given on the night, and our quiet visit to the Church on the final morning was a nice way to bookend our journey.

We visited both Catholic churches in the community but also got an appreciation of the unofficial Tiwi religion; footy. Unfortunately, we flew in just a day after the island’s Grand Final, but it was clear to see the devotion to the game – in the skill displayed in the yard at Recess/Lunch breaks, the colours proudly worn by young and old in the streets, and even on Sr Anne’s decked-out Sydney Swans mobility scooter! The game is a way of life in these parts. When we told people we were from Adelaide, we were invariably quizzed about Crows/Power and given a cheeky smile or an anecdote about relatives and their prowess.

There were many unforgettable experiences enjoyed throughout the week. These ranged from viewing the awe-inspiring local artwork and yarns with the artists, to admiring the natural beauty of the landscapes and sweating through the heat of the afternoons. In stark contrast, there were ever present and eye-opening insights to the struggles of the Tiwi people. ‘Cost of living’ pressures are compounded on the island and a trip to one of the two small supermarkets/grocery shops demonstrates this; preparing nutritious and filling meals for a family is both difficult in terms of ingredients and extremely expensive at the checkout. Further to this, the young people on the island are likely to experience traumatic behaviour in their formative years, so it is amazing to witness the commitment of the staff and teachers at school, doing amazing work to create safe and enjoyable learning environments.

Amid the quieter moments at our accommodation, we shared conversations about the Tiwi people and reflected upon our similarities and differences. We also bonded over the highlights of each day and enjoyed many laughs. Some written reflections are included below.

I would like to sincerely thank the many people who made this trip possible. I am confident that all students will return to SAC with lasting memories and sense pride that our relationship with the Tiwi community will continue into the future.

Mr Michael Heath & Ms Rachel Grawich
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award & Outdoor Education Coordinator

Students refelcted:

“Throughout this experience I was often prompted to reflect. When seeing the living conditions of this community I came to understand how privileged and lucky I am.” Elle

“I observed that the Tiwi people are very welcoming and genuine. We were welcomed with a song and performed a dance at church, and at Sr Anne’s gathering, and were treated with nothing but respect. We were told several stories by the locals which made me feel very included.” Rosie

“One afternoon when we were at the Oval, a couple of children came up to us and asked if we want to play with them. We immediately said yes that was one of the best decisions we had made. It was so fun!” Alessia

 “Admiring the art and culture of the Tiwi people was a highlight of mine. I enjoyed being able to go to different art locations and learn about the art and how it is made.” Willow

“The flight from Darwin to Tiwi was incredible but a bit daunting at first. Flying over the water with that many windows, getting to see the water and island as you flew in was very cool and beautiful.” Anabelle

“The interactions within our group and with the staff and peers we met in Tiwi were positive. Our group worked well together, supporting each other throughout the trip. The Tiwi people were incredibly welcoming, making us feel like we were at home, and the children at the primary school were always curious, asking us lots of questions which helped us build connections quickly.” Silviya

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