Cape York 2024 Student Immersion

This week’s reflection on the Cape York Immersion is our final one and comes from Isha Singh, Rosie Pallett—now Year 10 students—and Mia Sparks, now in Year 11, who travelled with the Yellow Group to the Wurrey and Melsonby homelands.

With these last reflection from the 2024 Cape York Immersion group, I really would like to thank all the students who have shared with the SCEGGS community their thoughts and experiences in Behind the Green Gate.  

Reconciliation Australia defines reconciliation as:

…being about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples…

We can get involved in reconciliation in our daily lives by getting informed and through experience. The Cape York Immersion provided this opportunity for our students to learn and become informed of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal cultures on the homelands we visited.  

In all the reflections there has been a deep sense of gratitude to and respect for the Traditional Owners who shared with us their wisdom, stories, and traditions. We respect and honour these as gifts and we acknowledge the connection to land, the culture and deep knowledge of the Traditional Owners who welcomed us at Wurrey, Melsonby, Kalkajaka and Punamuunji Homelands. 

Carol Bloomfield
Head of Student Wellbeing Programs

Cape York Reflection

Travelling to remote Australia was a very different experience. We couldn’t just catch a plane directly to our homeland. Instead, we all flew to Cairns together and then split into different buses to take us to the homelands we were visiting. The bus rides were long, sometimes lasting several hours, with bathroom breaks every hour or so. During these rides, we spent time journalling, talking, reading, playing games, or singing. When we arrived at our homeland, we were divided into duty groups. These groups were assigned to manage cooking, cleaning, support, and daily leadership, with roles rotating each day. Preparing food was fairly easy, especially with the whole duty group working together. Most of the time, we chopped up different foods, laid them out for people to pick and choose, and then served them. Cleaning, however, was not as simple. It was usually our job to wash everyone’s plates, cutlery, and any cooking equipment we had used. This was my least favourite task because we had to wash everything using two buckets—one for cleaning and one for rinsing—with no drainage. The water would quickly fill with food scraps, making it unpleasant. Even so, rotating the cleaning role among group members and having good conversations while we worked made the experience much better.  

Our first homeland was Uncle Bernie and Auntie Cheryll’s homeland at Wurrey. Wurrey had minimal structures, consisting of just their home and a small spare room. The land was dry and arid, with a family of cows that would wander over every so often. The area was filled with many old trees, some of which Uncle Bernie had planted himself. Towards the far end, through the bushes, there was a beautiful creek. Although the water wasn’t very deep, it was perfectly exposed to the sun, allowing us to relax and play in it. At the other end of the property, Bernie had a honeybee farm, which we weren’t allowed to visit in case we got stung. He explained that he had to wear a beekeeping suit to go there. The cultural activities we participated in at Wurrey included making sand bottles, spear throwing, bush tucker walks, and language lessons. Auntie Cheryll taught us how to say the welcome “Wantharra” and “Nhamagarra” to say see you later.  

Our second homeland was with Uncle Bulla and Auntie Julie at Melsonby. The land was sandy and red and we were amongst many high trees that stretched out through the land, further than we could see. On one side they had their home and on the other side, there was the building they used for storage or for Red Earth students and a courtyard, which had a sink, benches, lights, barbeque, and a kettle. This setup was more different to Wurrey and tasks like cooking and cleaning we did in our duty groups were much easier.  Their personal histories were fascinating. Denta told us about how their land was taken away from them over a period of time. The man who owned their land at the time disrespected the traditional rock painting by putting clay over art that was hundreds of years old. He was then bitten and killed by an Eastern brown snake, their family totem. After this, they were given their land back. This gave us a fascinating understanding of the connection Indigenous people have with their totem. At Melsonby, we participated in many cultural activities, including rock painting, pegging, fishing, cooking goruma, weaving pandanus bracelets, and building a traditional shelter. During our bush-tucker walks, we visited the rock cave paintings on their homeland—one of my favourite experiences. We learned not only the history behind the art but also stories about the Medicine Man and how he signed his work with a handprint, like how we use signatures today.  

Although Wurrey and Melsonby were quite different, they shared many similarities. One of the main differences was how we connected with the Traditional Owners. At Wurrey, we often gathered in circles to have conversations with Uncle Bernie or Auntie Cheryll. In contrast, at Melsonby, conversations naturally unfolded during activities like cooking, bush-tucker walks, or rock painting. However, both places were alike in the warmth and hospitality of the Traditional Owners, who actively involved us in cultural activities—whether it was spearing, painting, learning language, or fishing.  

 We visited the Great Barrier Reef on our last day at Cape York. At the reef, we saw many fish and lots of coral, though much of it had lost its colour, which was sad to see. The experience felt very different from the activities we did in the homelands, as the atmosphere was much more touristy, and the Traditional Owners weren’t with us. However, while snorkelling and receiving tours, it felt similar to the homelands because the guides taught us about Indigenous connections to the reef, just as we had learned about Indigenous connections to the land.  

Isha Singh
Year 10 

For me, the 2024 Cape York Immersion was a life-changing experience that left me with strong ties to the land and its people. Uncle Bernie and Auntie Cheryll, our Elders, led us on our first journey in Wurrey country. I was amazed by the homeland’s grandeur; it was teeming with wildlife and stories. I still clearly recall the two restrooms we had, one of which was a drop toilet with a view that provided a distinctive viewpoint of the surroundings. Our immersion was characterized by this blend of natural beauty and primitive existence. 

The tire swing was one among the highlights of our stay in Wurrey homeland. Taylor and I were unfortunate enough to break it, but as we worked together to fix it, we soon realised how important collaboration is. The lessons we gained from the artwork left by past visitors to the homeland, which demonstrated the enduring bond between people and place, were reflected in this practical experience. We learned about the many functions of the trees — information that has been handed down through the ages and enhanced our comprehension of the natural world. 

I had never heard a language that felt so alien yet so rooted to the land, so language classes were enlightening. This link was strengthened when I learned to throw a spear because I felt proud of myself and respected the abilities that Indigenous peoples had developed over many generations. We became immersed in their culture, learning about the customs and behaviours that have influenced their way of life. 

The home of Ranger Uncle Bulla and his family was our next destination in Melsonby. They have a strong bond with the earth. After decades of caring for it, a rude buyer broke the bond, but they eventually took back stewardship. A brown belly snake served as their totem and was a potent representation of their ancestry. With its red earth and open areas, abundance of trees, and walking routes that encouraged exploration, the landscape was radically different. 

Here we learned about the old rock art that graced the area and did some bush walks. We were able to establish yet another connection with the earth when fishing at the lake, which was a serene experience. Additionally, we learned how to weave bracelets and cook food in the ground, two techniques that demonstrated the ingenuity and resourcefulness inherent in Indigenous culture. 

The two homelands stood in stark contrast to one another. While the second was more rural, with conventional owners and dogs running loose, the first had more conveniences and a lake close by. The second homeland’s rich cultural heritage was amply demonstrated by the existence of red soil and rock art. 

One of the joys of the trip was seeing the rock paintings. We discovered that the paintings told tales of the land, its inhabitants, and their tenacity. There were difficulties in living in a remote area; self-sufficiency was crucial, and local services were an hour away. We discovered how to use natural remedies found in our surroundings and developed a fresh respect for the wisdom that Indigenous peoples possess. 

Our partnership was demonstrated by our project work, when we created a mural on the water tank at our second homeland. With its depictions of Indigenous animals and designs, the mural symbolised our reverence for the land and its legends while reflecting our common experiences and endeavours. 

I had never experienced life on immersion like this. We had to adjust by cooking, cleaning, packing sparingly, and co-operating to keep our living area in good condition. I will always treasure the friendships that were formed throughout the lengthy vehicle trips. The bustling tourist activities in Cape Town stood in stark contrast to the tranquillity of the homelands. Even though the tourist experiences were entertaining, they didn’t feel like they were connected to the deep connections we made in the homelands. 

As I think back on my time in Cape York, I am appreciative of the relationships and friendships I formed. In addition to broadening my knowledge of Indigenous culture, this immersion gave me the motivation to learn more about it in the future. I can’t wait to continue these relationships and skills learned, which have been profoundly and beautifully enhanced by my time in Cape York.

Rosie Pallett
Year 10

I think I gained the most insights through my conversations with Auntie Sheryll. She told us stories about her time as a school principal and spoke about the education system they had in rural communities. She told us “You get nowhere without education”. It made me really think. It made me think about how sometimes I take my education for granted. It made me think how an education can lead to so many opportunities.   

She spoke about her community and the role that jobs play. She made me think about my career future as she asked us to pick something that benefited the community. It made me question what can I do for my community? How I could look at my future and pick a job that benefits others.  

We had little activities such as sand bottle making where we used red, orange, white, and black sand to create different bottles in little jars. We would sit around while making them and Auntie Sheryll would teach us the Guugu Yimithirr language.   

The insights I gained from Wurrey allowed me to think about my education. Auntie Sheryll showed me how important education is in my own life but also others.  

One of my favourite moments at the second homeland was sitting at Melsonby with Auntie Julie painting burnie beads. We were able to use different paints to make our own little paintings. I loved how creative we were able to be as we then got a bracelet weaving lesson.   

Uncle Bula showed us how to use bushman pegs and that if we put them on a stick and flick it forward it can go extremely far. We even managed to hit a tree every once and a while. During this Uncle Bula taught us about how different practices have different rules such as only men are allowed to play the didgeridoo.   

Uncle Bula took us on bushwalks to significant rock art sites. We sat together in between rocks looking at art that was thousands of years old. We learnt how the artists had used powder to sign the artwork with a handprint and how indigenous artworks were created with different ochres, clays, and other materials to create art that lasts thousands of years. One of these rock art sites included a painting of the Medicine Man, Uncle Bula told us stories about Medicine Man.  

Auntie Denta Taught us about different totems and their significance. For example, her totem was a snake. She told us about how important it is to care for these animals and treat them with respect.   

As a team we worked together to paint a mural at the Melsonby homeland. Auntie Julie asked us to paint a serpent surrounded by rivers. It was the perfect summary of the whole trip including the different animals we learnt about or saw and all our hand prints forever plastered on the water tank we painted. We painted until sunset on our final day at Melsonby.   

Before arriving at the campsites, I was worried about being away from my family and camping. We worked in daily groups taking turns cooking, cleaning, supporting, and leading others. I didn’t think I would be but I am truly grateful that I got time away from my phone and the stress of social media, but I was. I found it gave me the opportunity to really appreciate where I am and what I’m doing.   

After leaving the Homelands our time at the Great Barrier Reef was so beautiful. We were able to share stories with the other group and bond across year levels. We got to go exploring by ourselves or went on tours where we learnt facts about different animals. Watching the tour guide throw a spear into the great barrier reef truly showed me how indigenous practices are used in all different aspects of life.   

My time in remote communities allowed me to gain a deeper understanding. It made me appreciate what I have but also empowered me to focus more on reconciliation and understanding.   

While on immersion I wrote a poem to try to emphasise how I was appreciating things I didn’t normally pay much attention to, like the colours in nature.   

The sky above so bright and blue,  

It brings alive the kindest hue,   

Surrounded below by browns and greens,   

I don’t know what their colour means,   

At night each blue will fade to black,   

Stars start to fall and don’t look back,   

It’s when I breathe that precious air,   

That’s when I start to come aware,   

That in Cape York right on the ground,   

In little specks Red Earth is found.   

If I was ever given the opportunity I would go back to Cape York and thank the Traditional Owners for what they have taught me.   

Mia Sparks 
Year 11