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 Parent evening on Thursday 10 November 5.45pm – 6.45pm in the Lecture Theatre.
Reflections
Reflecting on the Cape York experience has truly made me appreciate the privilege I have to visit such special places and have the exciting opportunity to discover new things, develop various relationships, and to experience such a unique style of living. Learning how the Traditional Owners from the Melsonby and Panamuunji homelands live with such important connection to country, was a highlight for me and one of the most eye-opening aspects of the immersion. The simple and relaxed way of life we practised for 10 days included learning about country and language, visiting significant rock art locations, swimming in the creeks, having conversations with new people, and having time to reflect and journal on the inspiring experiences from the day.
I feel this was a great contrast from the normal busy routine back home during the school term and has made me realise how refreshing it was to live “without time” and the consistent need to always be doing something. I have taken away so much from the trip, not only this great appreciation for the Traditional Owners and their way of living, but also knowledge and connections with others that I am so grateful to have made, and memories with them that will always make me smile and laugh reflecting back on them. I believe the photos truly display the joy and excitement painted on our faces during the trip but can’t fully describe its significance and all the wonderful aspects everyone took away from it. I couldn’t recommend this trip more to other students who are considering giving it a go, words can’t express the meaningful impact this immersion had on myself, my appreciation for a different lifestyle, and the connections I will now forever treasure.
Tessa McCarthy
Year 10
Only after returning to the busy city of Sydney was I able to properly comprehend the incredible and unforgettable nature of the Cape York Immersion. The traditional elders warmly welcomed us onto their land and were eager to teach us about their way of life, showing us a new way of living, much different from our own. Whether we were going on bushwalks, eating sour ants, learning about aboriginal art and language, or swimming in creeks, our eyes were opened to the rich culture of the Indigenous people and their connection to the land. The valuable lessons learnt will stick with me for a lifetime.
I could not be more grateful for this eye-opening experience which provided a remarkable opportunity to learn about so much. Personally, I never could have anticipated how much I would learn in Cape York and how this experience will stick with me forever. I think I speak for every girl when I say that this immersion was truly the most extraordinary and life-changing experience which I will be forever grateful for. For anyone considering participating in this immersion in the future, I could not recommend it more and guarantee that you will gain so much, as it truly is unforgettable.
Ianna Fatouros
Year 11
After experiencing initial apprehensions about the remoteness and duration of the Cape York Immersion, in addition to not having access to any electronic devices, by the end of the trip, I couldn’t help but wish that the trip would last longer and that we could continue to experience the incredible traditions and stories of Indigenous culture. The incredible sense of community and connections that we fostered between the students, teachers, team leaders and traditional owners made the experience so valuable and helped us all to feel at home, and to throw ourselves into the countless opportunities made available to us. Everyone, whether it was in 60 Seconds with Stevo, asking the Traditional Owners questions, or practising how to throw a spear, went beyond their comfort zones and used each moment to connect and learn.
After an unexpected start to the trip, involving 4.30am flight cancellations and flying to Melbourne (the opposite direction of our destination!), the enthusiasm of the SCEGGS team kept everyone optimistic and excited for the days ahead. And, as much time as I had spent imagining the trip, I couldn’t possibly have dreamed how amazing our experiences were – diverse and eye-opening.
I am thankful that I kept a comprehensive record of the trip in my journal, documenting every moment so that none of the information would be lost or forgotten. Reading back over my entries now makes me realise the countless activities that we fit into 9 days – every moment felt like an opportunity for contemplation and learning. When my friends asked about a highlight from each of the homelands it was difficult to decide – there were many – but I narrowed it down to our beach walk to the Coloured Sands on Elim Beach, learning about traditional bush tucker and feeling like we were floating when sprinting down the sandy hills, and the Kup Murri, an Indigenous tradition of cooking food in a ground oven for special occasions, which we prepared on our final day in Bana.
It was a privilege to be granted nightly times of reflection around the campfire, recalling the activities of the day, and asking the Traditional Owners questions in an open and respectful manner. These discussions provided insights into the ways that Indigenous customs, the oldest continuing culture in the world, are incorporated into modern society, and how their connection with the land and their heritage continues to influence their values and actions throughout their lives. On both homelands, the Traditional Owners talked to us about reciprocity – they hoped to learn from us in the same way we were learning from them – and it is my hope that throughout the course of our stay, our discussions and eagerness gave them hope for the future of reconciliation in Australia.
Our final days of the trip allowed the red and yellow groups to reunite and discuss their experiences on differing homelands – it was amazing that over the 9-day trip, both groups had completely unique experiences and learnings. A memorable activity as a SCEGGS group involved snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, which I had never done before, and it was a perfect way to end the Immersion, surrounded by unforgettable corals and marine life (including several giant clams)!
I wholeheartedly believe that there is no better way to learn the depth and intricacies of Indigenous culture than on Country, with traditional owners, engaging in thoughtful conversations, rather than within the classroom or through textbooks. In that sense, Cape York was the perfect way to continue engaging in the lifetime of learning that we all have before us, educating ourselves and starting conversations with our peers. In Bana, when I was talking to a Traditional Owner about the path towards reconciliation, he mentioned the importance of changing mindsets and progress towards equality as an ongoing process, saying “systems are reflections of mindsets, and the systems can only change once mindsets do.” This is a crucial reminder that we all have the capacity to act now against larger societal issues, and to strive to make important changes, one discussion at a time. I’m certain that all the students who went on the Cape York trip are excited to share the knowledge they’ve learnt and their unforgettable experiences. I cannot recommend this trip enough to students in the upcoming years.
Laura Davies
Year 11
