Cape York 2024 Student Immersion
We continue to share the personal reflections and photos from the students who were on last year’s Immersion to Traditional Homelands in Cape York. This week we hope you enjoy the reflection from Katerina Giannikouris (Year 10) and Piper Fincher (Year 11).
For the previous week’s reflections see here.
Carol Bloomfield
Head of Student Wellbeing Programs
Red Earth Cape York Immersion Reflection by Katerina Giannikouris (Year 10)
After spending many days in Cape York, I feel more connected to Indigenous Australia, the land, culture, and people than ever before. This journey was filled with learning, reflection, and community, and it has taught me lessons that will stay with me for years.
From the moment we arrived in Wurrey, Uncle Bernie and Auntie Cheryl welcomed us with incredible generosity and shared their wisdom with us. They welcomed us to their traditional land and taught us greetings in their language, ‘Wantharra’ and ‘Nhamagarra’, showing how much meaning simple words can hold. Camping on hard ground and taking cold showers tested our resilience, but the discomfort faded with shared meals, stories, and laughter.
The hands-on activities brought this understanding to life. We wove bracelets from Pandanus leaves, made damper over the coals, and painted a mural as a gift for the Melsonby traditional owners. These tasks showed me the mix of practicality and creativity in Indigenous culture, highlighting teamwork and the strong bond between people and nature.
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef was a strong reminder of how fragile it is. Snorkelling over bleached coral and vibrant areas of regrowth, we learned about the effects of climate change and ongoing conservation efforts. It was a powerful lesson that healing the environment is as crucial as fostering reconciliation among people.
This immersion has been a game-changer in my view of Australia. It had shown me just how much wisdom and history are held within the Indigenous culture and the importance of listening, learning, and acting. I plan to go on further advocating for reconciliation personally by informing myself and others and listening more to Indigenous voices, and actively protecting country and culture.
On the collective journey toward reconciliation, I will carry with me the lessons this trip has taught me-the importance of respect, the power of stories, and the strength of community. These lessons will guide me as I work to be more informed and active, helping build a future where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians stand together in understanding and unity.
Red Earth Cape York Immersion Reflection by Piper Fincher (Year 11)
The endless laughs, the memories and the new friendships made were all something I never thought I would encounter visiting Indigenous homelands in North Queensland on the Cape York Peninsula.
Traveling to the Kalkajaka and Panamuunji homelands in Cape York was an experience that profoundly impacted me, both mentally and physically. As I set foot on these private extraordinary parts of land, I was immediately hit by the contrasting life and society. However, it was the deep connection to culture and heritage that I felt stuck with me the most.
Our first homeland, Kalkajaka, was the homeland I resonated with the most. Ian was extremely welcoming as he helped us connect with the land around. On the first day, I did not know any of the Year 9s and just kept in my group of Year 10s however that changed as the days went on. Sharing a tent with Adelaide and Ava, was an unforgettable experience. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and had to talk to someone new. Soon Adelaide and Ava turned into forever friends. Our relationship with them, turned a silent tent into a tent which couldn’t be quiet. We shared stories, laughed, played cards, talked about our memories from the day, and had so much fun trying new things alongside each other with Ian. We went into Cooktown and visited the museum where we had an amazing talk surrounding Cooktown as a whole, Captain Cook, and the Indigenous people during the 1800s. We went to Reconciliation Rocks, Quarantine Bay to catch fish, and then to find coconuts. The medicine and bush tucker from the trees were extraordinary around Kalkajaka. We painted shells that Ian had near his house and tied them around our necks. It was an unforgettable experience using the ‘donkey shower’ for our showers. So many laughs and screams from the water running out!
We then went to Panamuunji homeland with Tim and Elaine. This homeland stay was our community project. We built and dug out holes in the ground for the system to allow flushing toilets for the next group of visitors. I got to learn how it worked as well as enjoying the company of my peers. By the end of the trip, we were able to use a flushing toilet. Tim took us down to the river near the homeland where we participated in traditional practices such as using natural resources from the riverbed for our skin, hair, and health. We ended each night with Tim’s cultural storytelling as well as his special damper recipe. On the last night with Tim and Elaine, Ian came to visit us with his two dogs. This was my favourite night because of the togetherness in the group we had formed. Tim’s storytelling and symbols – stick, rock, leaf – really stuck with me.
I have deepened my understanding on the differences in life and within society as well as my appreciation to just be in the moment. I will continue to go through everyday reflecting and using that symbols to ensure I maintain my gratitude and respect for life. By the end of the trip, I made so many new bonds with Tim, Elaine, and Ian, as well as making forever friendships with the Year 9s in my group and some of the Year 9s in the yellow group. By the end of the trip, we were one big family with so many shared memories.
This Cape York immersion has had a significant impact on my life. I now embrace every day with appreciation and cultural sensitivity. The relationships I made on this trip serve as a reminder of the value of generosity and the strength of connection. I will live by these values going through life, giving back to my community and respecting the experiences that I have been so lucky to encounter.
