Cape York 2024 Student Immersion

In the Term 3 holidays a very enthusiastic group of 44 Year 9 and Year 10 students, as well as eight staff members, set out on a nine day journey to the Cape York Peninsula.

This immersion was significant as it offered a remarkable opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of life in remote Indigenous communities. During this trip, students and staff were privileged to connect with and learn from the custodians of the world’s oldest surviving culture.

The Traditional Owners and Elders graciously opened their homelands to us, curating an array of cultural activities for our groups to partake in during our stay.

Prior to leaving, the students were actively engaged in both individual and group fundraising endeavours which played an important role in raising funds to help facilitate various projects within the homelands the groups visited.

We made a commitment before leaving to share with our school community the experiences and insights gained. One avenue where we will do this is in Behind the Green Gate and over the course of a number of issues, we will share our personal reflections and some photos. We hope you enjoy the reflections of the students who attended.

Carol Bloomfield
Head of Student Wellbeing Programs

Reflections from the Cape York Immersion (Kalkajaka-Panamuunji)

The Cape York Indigenous Immersion was a beautiful and unique experience which will stick with me forever. From the light-hearted moments with the Traditional Owners to the deep learning and connection with the Land, this experience formed so many connections and memories which I will treasure. Throughout the immersion, and the two Homelands visited; Kalkajaka and Panamuunji, I formed a new, profound knowledge of the customs and culture of Indigenous Australians, both present and in the past. This impacted me in ways that words are not able to describe, because my view of Indigenous culture was nowhere near as sophisticated and complex as it is now.

The first day of the immersion was filled with an excited buzz, from the 4am start to finally arriving at our first Homeland, Kalkajaka. There we met our Traditional Owner, Ian, who greeted us warmly and welcomed us onto his land. We learnt that this welcome was performed so that we were protected on Country, and I was astonished at how easily we were welcomed, and how open-hearted Ian was to share his stories and teachings with us. Throughout our stay, Ian continued to share his intricate knowledge of the Land and its significance to himself, and the other Indigenous people who reside there. One of the highlights of this stay had to be its location, at the base of Black Mountain. Ian showed us a trail which led us to the base, and we spent time there reflecting and learning about its significance. I personally felt in awe of the landscape, and how serene it was. We even got to greet the morning and watch the sun rise over the top, and it was something that I have never quite experienced before. We were also privileged enough to have a day where we took the bus around the Black Mountain Area and learnt about other parts of Indigenous history. We visited Cooktown and learnt about colonisation at the Museum. It was interesting to hear Ian’s point of view on the matter, and how he was affected by it.

Throughout our stay we all made strong bonds with Ian, and even got to perform a talent show for him. It was filled with song, laughter and even a bit of magic. This was not only a bonding experience between us and Ian, but I felt like I got to know the girls in my group better. Each day we ended with a group reflection, led by Ian and our group leaders. This allowed us to talk about things which we wouldn’t ordinarily at home, and everyone opened up. Unfortunately, after our final reflection the time had come, and we had to leave. When I got on the bus, I thought about the fact that I may never come here again, and I felt deeply saddened. Saying goodbye to Ian had to be the hardest part though, because he was not only filled with knowledge, but also humour and fun for which I am so grateful.

After a stop at Hopevale and the beautiful Isabella falls, we arrived at our second Homeland Panamuunji. We met our Traditional Owners Tim and Elaine, who unlike Ian, lived on the Homeland. We were welcomed onto Country with a Smoking Ceremony, where we each took turns leaning into the smoke and covering ourselves with it. I was fascinated that the two Homelands had such different welcomes to Country, while Ian’s was a verbal welcome, Tim and Elaine’s was more ceremonial. During our stay here we did many activities, but one of the highlights had to be swimming in the creek with Tim. There he taught us about how he used the land when he was just a boy. He told stories of him and his brother walking up the creek to get to school, and even fishing there for dinner. At the creek we also exfoliated our faces with a clay from the creek bank which Tim and his family had been using for generations. This made me feel like I was really immersed in the culture, and I was so impressed with how well Tim and Elaine treated and used their Land.

One of the most rewarding elements of the immersion had to be the community project which we completed at Panamuunji. Our job was to build a garden bed which the water from the kitchen drain would flow in to, and plumb flushing toilets. We split into two groups, and I was on trench digging for the long pipe coming out of the septic tank. This took many hours, but it was all worth it to see something which we had communally worked on come to life. It was great to be able to create something to thank Tim and Elaine for their generosity, and to help future groups in the years to come. After the project we were lucky enough to spend some time with Elaine, where she taught us some of her Language. We learnt a few words, but the most striking part to me was how she strived to maintain her Language through the coming generations. I have never had to think about the language I speak disappearing, and hearing her thoughts really changed my view on language, and its importance. After many bonding moments and experiences, our stay had to come to an end, and saying goodbye to Tim and Elaine was extremely difficult. Their wisdom, knowledge and generosity were incredible. It was also sad to know that our Cape York journey was coming to an end.

After leaving our Homelands we made our way back to Cairns and reunited with the other group. I was so fascinated to hear of their similar and yet vastly different experiences. We also were lucky enough to spend a day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. This was beautiful, but also educational since the boat we were on was an Indigenous business. On the boat we learnt of their different instruments, and we also got guided tours around the reef led by Indigenous guide, and we learnt of their uses of the reef.

I am infinitely grateful that I got to go on this immersion. Learning from the Indigenous Owners and hearing their stories has inspired me in so many ways. I now know the deep importance of Reconciliation and Country in their culture, and that it needs to be protected. What I have learnt has impacted me in so many ways, and I now strive to stay in the moment, and be present in what I am doing. I hope to visit that part of Australia again, and I recommend this experience to everyone. It is such a unique part of the world, and the Indigenous culture is fascinating and beautiful. The connections I made, and the memories I have are so precious, and I look forward to carrying this experience with me throughout life.

Isabella Brook
Year 9 Student