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
