Archive by Author | markfielding

Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour Cancelled

Dear students and families

It is with great sadness that we need to announce the cancellation of the Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour 2020 due to ongoing concerns about the Coronavirus (Covid19).

The reasons for this decision are:

  • The general advisory ‘not to travel’ and the long distances involved
  • The risk of the virus flaring up at a later stage and affecting many participants
  • Concern from some parents about the trip, their children being away from home during this worrying time and limitations due to public gathering restrictions
  • Various confined spaces on the trip (plane, bus) contravening advisories about public distancing
  • The suspension of visits to the indigenous schools
  • The possibility of Virgin Airlines changing/cancelling routes with little notice

We are very sorry about this outcome but feel, on balance, it is the best decision to make at this time.

We want to thank all the students who applied for the tour and their families for supporting the program. We hope and pray there will be other opportunities in the future to participate in the School’s Global Programs.

I will be arranging refunds to families of all tour money paid in due course.

If you have any queries you are welcome to contact me (mark.fielding@ststephens.wa.edu.au)

Warm regards

Dr Mark Fielding

Covid-19 Update for Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour 2020

Dear Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour Students and Families

We have been closely monitoring the situation regarding Covid-19 and our tours to the Kimberley and the indigenous schools and I want to update you on the latest situation.

Yiyili and Purnululu Aboriginal Schools have been in contact with me earlier this week to inform us that a ban on all non-essential visitors to their schools has been applied immediately. This is very understandable in order to protect vulnerable people in their communities. This means that for the foreseeable future we will not be able to visit the schools as planned for this tour.

I have contacted Virgin Airlines and our reservations are still in place and the flights are still operating at the present time.

Given this situation, and in the interests of our students who have signed up for this Kimberley tour, we are examining alternative itineraries whereby the group can still visit the Kimberley region and enjoy a deep cultural learning experience. Dates, times and costs will not change if this alternative goes ahead.

I will inform you of our plans in the next few weeks. In the meantime please continue to support this tour and we will continue to work with our students in preparing them for the experience.

If you have any queries please contact me (mark.fielding@ststephens.wa.edu.au) and I will try to respond to your questions.

Warm regards

Dr Mark Fielding

Director of Global Programs

Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour 2020 is on!

Welcome students and families to the St Stephen’s Global Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour 2020!

The tour will run as planned departing 23 July and returning 2 August 2020. Our students will get an extraordinary experience visiting our Kimberley partner indigenous schools as well as seeing some of the most spectacular country in Australia. As in the past, Kimberley Safari Tours will be our in-country hosts and will provide all accommodation (swags), food and transport.

We have 12 students on the tour this year. This means we will only need two staff and the lucky staff are Mr David Bosma from Carramar and Ms Verity Palmer from Duncraig.

Please make sure you subscribe to this blog (bottom right corner) so you get email alerts every time we post something about the trip.

All the best for a wonderful experience!

Dr Mark Fielding

Director of Global Programs