Week Six

As our six-week secondment sadly comes to end, we catch up with celebrity blogger Adam Easton to find out what's been happening in Lockhart River. 

Wow! In one word, that says it all about our time here in Lockhart River. It epitomises our triumphs and our challenges. Or as my colleague, Matt Galvin says: "just another day in paradise."

Lockhart River and its surroundings are simply beautiful. This was my office from time to time. Welcome to Quintell Beach at Lockhart River:

Or here...Welcome to Portland Roads Cafe view:

But before we had the luxury of spending quality time with our laptops we actually did some real work. Meet the board of directors:

Good old butcher's paper. As Rachael, who's seconded to Djarragun College in Cairns, said: "now that’s real work!"

We have met some great people and we have met some not so great people during our secondment. But it’s not the individuals that demand your attention. It’s the community. The challenges. The hope. The daily challenge for Indigenous communities like Lockhart River to have a ‘foot in both worlds’.

Our secondment was to work with the Kuuku Ya’u Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC). The PBC is the body required to be set up when a Native Title Determination is made. So it is the challenge of the PBC to manage the delicate balance of tradition with what is referred to as ‘white-fella ways’.

The challenge for us has been to work with the PBC and the diversity of Kuuku Ya’u members to look at the structural framework of the corporation.

But that’s all about work. We also managed to have some great experiences out on country with Elders. This place is known for its healing powers. It’s beauty alone gives you a sense of ease.

Then there was an end of secondment reunion with the Aurukun mob. Matt and I went to see Lauren’s impressive teaching skills in Direct Instruction. Our presence was enough of a distraction for the class so we didn’t get any photos of Lauren in action but here’s the school.

We didn’t get to see Michael in action but we are advised that he was off doing important things. Good on you Michael!

When Michael and Lauren finished doing their thing and we had a tour around the school it was time to get down to the real business of the excursion...all four of us headed off to the tip of Australia!

There was an incident on the way to tip but Michael has threatened violent repercussions if I tell. Let’s just say it was a Rookie Remoters moment.

Anyway, here’s Bramwell Roadhouse where we stayed Friday night.

Matt and Ant Hills....they are just huge!!

The most expensive crossing in Australia at $130 to cross the length of a football field.

The beautiful Seisia...

The equally impressive Punsand Bay...

And finally the ‘tip’ of Australia!!

Now I have to get this off my chest. This is ‘not’ the ‘tip’ of Australia. It is the tip of the Australian continent. Several islands tease you within sight as if to mock you and say "ha, ha, you didn’t quite make it." Anyhow, I’m over that now.

But as if to make up for the taunting of the tip, there was more paradise as we made our way back to Aurukun and Lockhart River.

Check out Fruit Bat Falls:

And Elliot Falls:

With all that out of our system it has been back to work this week putting the finishing touches on the last four weeks of work. Actually, to put the finishing touches on would require another four weeks. But the reports are written and we head back to Cairns tomorrow (Wednesday). Sob, sob. 

I’ve been trying to console Matt for hours. He says he was just on the verge of getting a Michel's Patisserie here and he can almost taste the coffee!

Warm regards from the beautiful Lockhart River.

Week Five

This week, we're heading to Hope Vale to hear from celebrity blogger Jaine Scollard. Enjoy!

It’s surreal to be writing this as we are down to my last week in Hope Vale. The time has gone so fast. It has been challenging, crazy, hilarious and amazing, usually all at once. 

It was strange driving in to Hope Vale on the first day and leaving the comfort of the convoy. There were no more messages on the radio, random facts from Vit, or Doug telling us to keep the airwaves free. 

We were now just two women, heading into unknown territory, about to commence our five week stay in a remote Indigenous community. 

Alison is from Sydney, and I am from Launceston. While many people (mainly Taswegians ourselves) joke about the remoteness of our fair state, this was different. It is also remoteness from our families, friends, homes, and in particular, our comfort zones. 

We are staying in the disused dementia ward of the local aged care facility. The grounds are quite pretty, and the residents are so friendly. We have a little reading/sunbaking area outside with a few benches and some trees. I was a little concerned that the coconut tree was going to shake one out on top of my head but I needn't have worried as a) it was the banana tree that keeled over and b) they cut the coconut tree down. Bright side: BANANAS!

Hope Vale is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and there are lots of amazing places to visit nearby. As Lucy said, I was also struck by how lush and green it is here. The community itself is much the same as Michael described Aurukun, with lots of rubbish and dogs everywhere. That said, the dogs are harmless (especially if you feed them!).

We have taken epic journeys across the beach at Coloured Sands, played on the swing at Elim Beach while keeping an eye out for crocs, and pretended we were mermaids in Isabella Falls. We also went for a bushwalk to beautiful Finch Bay, and I only fell over once. It was a pretty proud moment. We have also been to zumba and boxing classes, visited the Cooktown Show, and danced to Black Image at the turf club. 

Hope Vale and Cooktown also have amazing galleries. I picked up my first pieces of art. One is by a 13 year old girl named Darcie from Cooktown High School who won the local Lions Youth art prize. The other is by Harold Bowen, an incredible artist from Hope Vale who won the Laura art prize. I can’t wait to see a little piece of the Cape in my lounge room.

One memory that is forever etched on my soul is heading back from packing up the school camp at Billy Boil. The driver, Shane, came to a sudden stop, bolted from the car and began hollering for us to join him. He had not only sighted a carpet python, but had pulled it out of the bushes to show us. As someone who is petrified of snakes, I was hardly thrilled at the invitation (I blame Nagini from Harry Potter. Voldemort ruins EVERYTHING!). But I knew this was my chance. I took a deep breath and headed out to face my nemesis.

He also stopped to show us this turtle! Hey, buddy!

Our secondment at the school has been challenging, crazy, and most of all, incredibly fun. We have taken lessons, broken up fights, moved furniture, baked cupcakes, danced, played sports and fielded questions from intrigued children. 

As NAIDOC took place during sorry time within the community, we got to participate in their delayed celebrations. We were so lucky to see local dancers perform a corroboree, spear throwing, line dancing and the school band. It was really special :-)

Alison also had an excellent time on camp at Billy Boil, visiting Cape Flattery and adventuring with the kids. 

The school is under-staffed, and its condition was certainly different to the schools at home, but the dedication and courage of the teachers is simply amazing. As Michael and Lauren have said, we are so lucky to have this opportunity, and it is really inspiring to see how hard they work. 

I also love how the school incorporates so much of the Indigenous culture into the school. The children have lessons in Guugu Yimithirr and it’s beautiful to see them learning it. We have also picked up a few words, the most commonly heard one is hearing teachers telling children to ‘sit on your bookah!’. 

The children are also amazing. They have more energy than anyone else I have ever seen, playing games of soccer on hot days in bare feet and constantly running around. They’re also hilarious, inquisitive and sassy. 

I’ll really miss them, the community and the warmth when I head back to freezing Tassie, but I am so lucky to have such excellent memories.

Week 4.5

I know I promised to blog weekly now but have just returned from a whirlwind trip across the Cape so thought I'd break my own rule :-)

For the project I'm working on with the Cape York Land Council (CYLC) I was keen to interview a traditional owner/elder so I could hear first-hand about why native title is so important to them.

Jim* and Kirsty** thought Rosie Upton from the Strathgordon Mob in Pormpuraaw would be perfect, so we decided to head to the west coast of Cape York.

We set-off about 7am on Sunday morning and after 2 x McCafe skinny lattes, 2 x hash browns, 1 x burger with the lot from Musgrave Roadhouse, 10,000 x packets of various Allen's lollies, 1 x bush meeting with a woman on a four-wheeler, we arrived in Pormpuraaw about 5pm.

Jim and Kirsty called into what seemed like every house in town to invite the mob for dinner and assemble directors for a PBC meeting. After a quick trip to watch the sunset on the beach with cheese and crackers (Kirsty thinks of everything!) we headed home to fire up the barbie.

There would have been nearly 30 of the mob around for dinner, and it was so great to watch the kids running around the table while the adults ate and yarned. Just like any dining room in Australia!

Afterwards, Jim and Kirsty ran the PBC meeting as they had a fair bit to discuss and agree on. While this was all going on, I sat out on the back step with old Granny Rosie and got schooled in everything from fishing to building a humpy for shelter. With these stories under my belt, I reckon I could win Survivor! Check out how cool she is:

The next day we had planned to get to Lockhart River with enough time for me to make my 6.30pm flight, but we had a few people to see in Pormpuraaw first. Turns out they weren't so concerned about my deadline (!!) and I never did make that flight... 

Jim and Kirsty are passionate about supporting traditional owners and giving them the tools to manage country. Because of this, they've developed really strong relationships within the community. They aren't the type to fly in, have a meeting and fly out. They take their time getting to know people and their families, listening to their stories, cooking a meal and even putting out crab pots. From the little I've seen of these remote communities, people who take the time to make relationships (like Vit) are the ones who are most respected and will be listened to when it comes to getting the work done.

We ended up making it to Lockhart River around 8pm. It was great to see Matt and Adam briefly, who are both still loving it. They're meeting Lauren and Michael this weekend to head to The Tip so I can't wait to see their photos when they're guest bloggers next week.

Before my flight left the next morning, I was fortunate enough to visit the Lockhart River Art Centre and was blown away by the artwork. On my previous trip, I'd fallen in love with three very expensive spears (!!) on display at the Iron Ranges Cabins so wanted to see what else the Lockhart River artists offered. I wasn't disappointed! It was a bit of a rush so I didn't buy anything, but I think I might have shopper's regret...sigh.

Unfortunately the office beckoned so the Lockhart River mascot waved me off:

* Jim heads up the PBC Unit with CYLC

** Kirsty is currently run off her feet unofficially doing two jobs as Cape York's Regional Director for Jawun and Deputy CEO for CYLC

Week Four

I think we've heard as much about my time in Cairns as we need to, so this week the blog is hitting the road. We're heading up to Aurukun to hear from our first Celebrity Blogger: Michael Mitchell. Enjoy!

Here I sit, having spent three weeks in the amazing town of Aurukun, working with a Year 7 boy (the school captain) who is writing a letter of application to be enrolled at a prestigious boarding school in Brisbane. A parent of one of the teachers here has been in town for the past two weeks and, fortuitously he is an ex-student of that school and has offered to provide a letter of commendation. I feel privileged to be able to help this lad and, like many people that come to Aurukun, would love to do so much more. However, as one teacher said to me: 

"Michael you can not underestimate the help that Lauren and you are giving.....you are helping to give these children a chance....it is then up to them as to what they do with it. And for some students in particular they will succeed!". 

That comment from that teacher meant so much to me. It brought a tear to my eye. There are so many people in Aurukun that are striving for a better world. As Lauren often comments: "We are so fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity to meet so many 'courageous' people!"

So, going back three weeks when we first drove into Aurukun on that Monday afternoon.

We had done plenty of reading about Aurukun so there really wasn't anything that came as a huge surprise. The things that struck me though were the number of dogs that walked the streets (or just lay about on the red dusty bauxite roadways), the small piles of rubbish and leaves that were burning in the streets, the general lack of expansive green grass, the well established shady trees, the rubbish that littered some fence lines and some paths, most people walking barefoot and the welcoming wave of a number of people that waved back as we were driving through town.

Many of those first impressions still exist but they have faded and are simply a layer. By being here for just three weeks we have met so many people from so many walks of life that we have seen so much more than that initial first impression.

Aurukun is a complex community and no amount of words, or even pictures, can do justice to what our experience has been thus far, or to the people that live here.

So, with that caveat in place I'll try to tell you about our experience. I will try to refer only to what we have done rather than the actual experience.....it is just too hard to put into words.

Vit introduced us to a number to number of people in town and we had a lovely dinner with Kenlock (an older community man from Aurukun who has told stories of his years in the school dormitory through to his role now as a great grandfather in the community) and Victoria (manager of MPower). Ed: find out more about Kenlock and Victoria.

The first week on the job I was allocated to Ms G's class to observe Direct Instruction and to provide one-to-one remediation and learning support for her reading, spelling, language and maths classes. Ms G has entered the teaching profession as a late vocation and is in her second year of teaching, and does an incredible job. She is firm and fair and engages the kids....she cares for them, she loves them and it shows! Aurukun is a far cry from her 10 years working in hospitality in Santorini. Ms G has mainly older kids in her classes (but ranges from Year 3 to Year 7) which have an amazing attendance rate.

I am known as Sir Desmond or Tharpich because there has been a passing the community of a Michael. I couldn't even be Mr Mitch because it started with M as well! Names with the letters B, G and P are off limits as well. There are eight people, including me in Ms G's class that are Tharpich!

After some discussions with a couple of people at school my project brief has changed around a bit...and that's all good. I am still with Ms G and feel like part of the class. I am also helping out with the transitions program for Year 7 students (all of whom are expected to go to boarding school - which isn't the case for all of them though) and providing support for the administration for the forthcoming Culture Camp. It provides a good mix of activities and enables me to be able to contribute some of my skills.

It has been an honour to sit with students on a one-to-one as they read words, do word attack, listen to them read confidently and practise and practise, and then practise some more if need be...or as they move to the next level for them to sometimes struggle but then, through practise and structure, be able to read and write at a much higher level.

We have met lots of people in Aurukun...although the greater proportion have been white fellas to date. We are using any opportunity to meet and yarn with members of the local community and we are very conscious of being respectful...this is their town and we are just blow ins!

We have spent a day fishing past the heads of the river with Kenlock and members of his family. The flat waters of the river would be amazing for water skiing....but just don't fall off! The beaches and the blue of the sky and water are incredible...it is truly undiscovered paradise in so many ways.

Have been fishing a few times (even bought a bigger hand reel) but to date no success! Lauren has done an admirable job catching two last Wednesday evening. I have decided it was a team effort rather than an individual accomplishment!

The morning air is often clear but by mid afternoon there can be a pall of smoke from the many fires that burn in the streets. All types of rubbish go on the fires - leaves, plastic bottles, and TVs even! Had a bit of a lung infection and went to the medical centre, which was quite interesting to just sit and watch for three hours. The doctor (from Perth!) asked why I had come to such an unhealthy place as Aurukun?

Am really annoyed because the internet has dropped out (a regular occurrence) and I hadn't saved my work and I want to finish this within the hour. Just means you are getting a summary view. LOL! :)

Have had dinner with a couple of business enterprise people (one of which I know from another life)...great stories about the place and the tacos and fried rice were excellent.

On the first Friday we caught up with some first year teachers - so damn enthusiastic, yet grounded. I keep forgetting I am old enough to be a father to most of the people that come to Aurukun to work. However they are all so welcoming and generous with their time.

Attended the social event of the month - dinner (Italian) at the police station with members of the school, police, health services, council, etc. - a good night and great food.

Had dinner with Nicole and Naomi - the heads of Class, Club and Culture - who are inspirational young women who always have a cheery smile as they navigate through the day to day issues that arise. They are great value and have incredible careers in front of them!

We have been out on the streets with the case managers Matt, Bryce and Dill who look after school attendance and do follow-up with families. Really interesting. Have also had dinner with them and travelled to Weipa as well - all the while listening to stories.

Have managed to slip in dinner with the Family Responsibilities Commission coordinator, Dellis, and the Commissioner, David Glasgow. Once again, amazing stories, history, understanding, commitment. So much seems to have improved....but usually through little steps.

Met Brenda, the director of the childcare centre, on the beach fishing on Sunday, who helped fill in some more gaps. She has been here five years and is from Cobar. Does a great job with the centre and a number of staff are undertaking training and qualifications in childcare.

Have cooked a huge platter of spaghetti bolognese for some locals and we will sometimes go strolling by ourselves or together through the streets. Funny to hear the little voices yelling out "Hello Sir Desmond what you doin'?". One lad came out and asked to have a kick - so spent the next hour having kicks in the streets of Aurukun - was the most fun and rewarding hour I have spent for some time!

A spine tingling moment was earlier this week when the school band played...full brass instruments, great execution and dedication. In some ways it seemed out of place...but in another way it just showed what 'can be'. A goose bump event that once again left a tear in my eye......such incredible kids to be able to rise up and perform at such a level.

We are just packing to take off to Coen to support the kids in the Crusader Cup - some have boots but most will be barefoot....amazing!

What is absolutely fantastic is to walk to the Landing of an afternoon and watch the sun set...they are just beautiful but can seem out of place with some of the vexed social issues that exist in town. But that is the very paradox of Aurukun.

So, all in all, we are loving Aurukun...how could you not?

Michael 

Week Three

Now that I'm based in Cairns, my life involves a less than glamorous routine of home > work > home so I've moved from daily blogging to weekly. You're welcome :-)

My first week working in Cairns has been pretty much like my life in Sydney, except much hotter. The other main difference is the commute. I love the Manly Ferry but my five-minute Cairns commute might be even more awesome!

On the work front, my bank's lovely graphic designer has agreed to design CYLC's booklet which is fantastic! I've finalised the structure and pulled the majority of the content together, but I still need to interview a traditional owner about what it means to have a native title determination for their country. Hopefully that will happen next week, not sure if I'll need to head back up the Cape to meet them.

Kevin and I have also made friends with Brodie, a native title legal intern from Melbourne.

On the social front, my first observations of Cairns have been really positive.

There are some great restaurants: this week Divya (one of our secondees) had a birthday so we all went to Salt House for a drink, then Mecca Bah for dinner. We also made a very exciting discovery, that Sizzler is still open in Queensland, so continued Divya's birthday celebrations with some cheese toast. It was fabulous.

The people I've met so far are all friendly and relaxed, and they often say hello when they pass you in the street or on the Esplanade. I feel like I'm back home in Forster :-)

The Esplanade is fantastic for exercising. It inspired me to become a runner but after two days I have a sore knee so I've given that up. One night after work we ran from our apartments to the Esplanade Lagoon, swam a few laps and then ran back via a workout on the weird and wonderful exercise equipment. Great fun!

One of the additional benefits of a Jawun secondment, is that all your friends will want to come and visit!

Last weekend my friend Beth flew up and we spent a night in Port Douglas and then travelled onto the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. We also called into Mossman Gorge which is amazing.