Cape York Conversations

Always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

The Cape York immersion of 2022 is one that will stay with us forever.

During the end of Term 2, 49 students from Years 10-11 and 10 members of our beautiful staff travelled up to Cape York for an unforgettable experience, of learning and adventuring. The definition of an immersion is the act of experiencing a locale like a local by embedding yourself in the culture of a destination, rather than simply viewing it from a comfortable distance. This is what we set out to do.

Not only did staying on country and being welcomed with open hearts and arms open our eyes to a new way of living and community far different from our own. When we arrived on different land, the traditional owners performed welcome to countries, to let the land and their ancestors welcome us as well. This ceremony meant that we were embraced, accepted, and protected by the land and culture. Our number one question when we first arrived was often, “does it bother you that we come and stay with you?” which was always immediately shut down, as the traditional owners confessed their love of hosting us, their love for sharing their culture with us and their love for teaching us. We could not be more blessed and privileged to be welcomed and given the opportunity to learn so much. All the students created such strong bonds with the traditional owners, many that we will never forget. I remember on our last day at our second homeland in Panamunji near the town of Hope Vale, none of the students wanted to leave and the couple we were lucky enough to stay with, Tim and Alaine both said the same thing, “go hide down the creek, and we’ll tell you when they’re gone”. This trip was so much more than just a visit it was a journey that will be forever ingrained within us. Those one-on-one conversations we shared around the campfire, during a bush walk or during a meal, were truly beautiful, eye opening, and I can confidently say on behalf of everyone, unforgettable.

This was a trip that will stay with all of us for a very long time, however it is not just memories but the actions we put forward with the knowledge we have gained. To share it with others, our peers, our families, our friends. Speaking about our experience, sharing those memories and all that we have learnt. We were fortunate to have been hosted by Indigenous Australians, who were so open, willing to share, answering every question we put forward. Now it is up to us to expand this and continue to share. Their positivity was inspiring, and their peacefulness was admirable. After all the horrors of their past, they continue to hold such strong connections to the land, their culture and one another. This trip was truly a life altering experience none of us will ever forget.

Scarlett Phillips (Year 11)

Going To Cape York was a life changing experience, and there is hardly just a since word to describe the enlightening experience that was this trip. If there was one word to describe it, the closest word would have to be “unbelievable”, because it’s truly unbelievable that we’ve had this incredible honour to learn thousands of years of history and culture, unbelievable that all of us have been able to cultivate a connection, to nature, to the people, to ourselves.

It’s unbelievable that we’ve all have been accepted onto their land and welcomed like a family. Along with all the stories we’ve been told, the history we have been taught, the amazing cave paintings, the friendships created, is something I know we’ll never forget; I could never have predicted what an unbelievable experience this would become. So, thank you for all the people involved because this trip couldn’t have occurred without your input.

Eleanor Purcell (Year 11)