Cape York Conversations

We hope you are enjoying reading the range of reflections about the Cape York experiences from the students, but we would also like to invite you to take a look at the upcoming opportunities proposed for 2023.

There are planned Immersions for 50 students (Year 9 & 10, 2023) to travel to the Cape York region and there is also an opportunity for 25 students (Year 11, 2023) to travel to the top end – Arnhem Land. Please have a read of the Red Earth flyer provided and look out for registration for the upcoming Parent evening on Thursday 10 November 5.45pm – 6.45pm in the Lecture Theatre.

Reflections

I now realise how profoundly life-changing my Cape York immersion experience was. Being able to feel reconnected to your culture is such a wonderful thing. It is truly remarkable to hear from Traditional Owners, see their connection to Country personally, tour rock art sites in person, and learn about traditions from Indigenous people who have carried such a wealth of knowledge and skills about Country. This is something only a lucky handful of people will ever get to witness, and I feel very privileged for this opportunity.

Being on this immersion has made me realise how fortunate I am for every aspect of my life, no matter how tiny. I cherished spending time over a campfire, listening to the traditional owners tell us stories and listening to the sounds of nature. I made so many new connections with teachers, peers, and Traditional Owners that I will always look back on with a smile. I learned more from the Cape York immersion than I could have ever anticipated. I am immensely appreciative of all those who contributed to make it possible, and I cannot express how passionately I urge anyone who is contemplating taking part in the future to do so.

Secilia Mafi
Year 11

It would be near impossible to attend the Cape York immersion and return not having your perception of our land and culture irreversibly changed. After having been welcomed into homes and communities whose cultures have been cultivated for over tens of thousands of years we’ve all come away with something no classroom would be able to provide. We were able to experience the emphasis in Indigenous culture on connecting with the land and the people around you, of valuing and nurturing both these relationships. Following that I can’t help but feel that those of us in the city have a lot to learn about life as a whole and where our priorities lie from the traditional owners we encountered. I’m not sure whether I’ve ever felt as content and relaxed as I did for the 9 days we were on the immersion, and I think everyone else on the trip would agree.

You can see it in all the laughter, smiles, or intense concentration that the pictures from the trip show there was a sense of fulfillment that the learning and experience provided all of us for those 9 days. Whether it was sitting down for language, art and weaving lessons with Elaine or bushwalks at both homelands where we were taught how versatile the land can be when used correctly, the immersion allowed for all of us to be solely concerned with the present, something I think comes from the lifestyles of the communities we stayed in. I’ve come back with a renewed sense of responsibility for my role in moving towards reconciliation and part of this is sharing the knowledge gained from our trip. But words are unable to do the immersion justice the only way to truly understand is to experience it yourself, which is why, for any girls in younger years, if given the opportunity I couldn’t recommend something strongly enough, the trip really was transformative.

Tara Collins
Year 11