Day 7

Once again we got up and left bright and early and made our way to Frog Hollow school.
It was an incredible highlight for me. Our beautiful year 8 souls made instant connection with the local kids and as expected…there were sad St Stephen’s kids and sad Frog Hollow kids when it was time to go. Our kids got involved at the school in a number of ways including, planning, preparing and implementing a colour run with the aid of a federal sports group that are involved in the remote schools.

After our sad good byes we headed to Warman to tour the art gallery. After a very informative talk about the unique painting techniques of that region, we spent time with Johnny Echo, who was and still is, a drover of incredible experience.

We camped at a local campground in Warman.

Day 8

We left Warman for El Questro and the stunning Emma Gorge. A solid hike in warm conditions, rewarded by a swim in paradise.
We are currently at El Questro campgrounds ready for another delicious meal and ready to rest up in our swag.

We are heading off to Lake Argyle tomorrow to enjoy our last full day in the Kimberleys

Mr P

Day 3 started with an amazing hike at Windjana Gorge; seeing a fossil and some Johnston Crocodiles. We then headed to Lillimooloora Station (Police Station) and heard about its history. We then walked and swam through Tunnel Creek; we saw Johnston Crocodiles, butterflies, bats and traditional artwork. We stopped in Fitzroy Crossing on our way to Mimbi Caves Campground.

Day 4 was an early start, as we headed to meet Rosemary and her granddaughters for a traditional welcome, smoking ceremony and rock throwing tradition. We then enjoyed a fabulous tour of Mimbi Caves, an amazing lesson on skin names and a swim through another cave and finally finding a hidden carved chessboard and pieces. On our way to Larrawa Nature Stay Camp we visited Ngumban Cliff. After setting up camp at Larrawa we headed for lunch at Mary Pool, where we explored the a very dry riverbed and encountered some over zealous cows. Afterwards we headed to the Yiyili Community and met Margaret. Margaret explained about the community and showed us around the Laarri Art Gallery. We returned back to Larrawa for a talk, by the owner and her children, of the history of the family-owned homestay and all aspects of their lifestyle and business. The talk concluded with a tour of some of the animals.

Day 5 it was a long day of bumpy travel and re-stocking of supplies. First we headed into Halls Creek, where the students and tour leaders re-stocked supplies. Then we commenced a long and bumpy journey through Purnululu National Park towards Willard’s Campground. Everyone enjoyed stopping at the Tourist Information shop and buying gifts and treats and using the free wifi.

So far the students have enjoyed a musical evening, plenty of games, a camp fire and marshmallows, playing spotlight, enjoying exploring the surrounding area and coping with limited access to data, signal and wifi! They have all participated in the whole running of the tour; including putting up and taking down swags, packing and unpacking the tour bus, food preparation, washing up and helping out wherever needed.

Mrs G

Day 6

After an early rise, breakfast and a bit of frisbee tennis in the dirt…on to the Domes. Incredible! The most amazing thing is that the tourists didn’t know about them until the 1980s. A very well kept secret. From the Domes we headed to the squeezy Echidna Chasm to walk between cliff faces.

Pretty hot day today so it’s almost time to head back to camp, rest up, shower up and get ready for our surprise dessert after dinner.

Mr P

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Day One:

After a slight delay and a bumpy landing, we all arrived safely in Broome. We loaded up our tour bus and headed for Cable Beach. Lunch was at Town Beach and then we headed to Birdwood Downs Station for our first night out under the stars in swags. We were lucky enough to have an informative talk on the issues caused by Cane Toads; the struggle to keep populations and the spread limited, the impact on local wildlife and how some animals are adapting to fine ways to include Cane Toads in their food chain. With free-roaming chickens all around us, we eventually fell asleep.

Day Two:

After loading up our swags and breakfast, we headed for Mowanjum Community to drop off some donated sleeping bags and swags. Afterwards we headed to the Derby Prison Tree and got up close to Barolga birds. We then ventured into Derby Town to visit the Mark Norval Art Gallery, the Sculptures on the Marsh, the Derby Wharf and were treated to some Aboriginal songs by Noni and Lucy. Afterwards we went for a swim at the local pool. We then loaded everyone up and we headed to Windjana Gorge for our second night. Our night included a bonfire, lots of conversation, delicious food and a very friendly Wallaby we named Barry.

After many phone calls to and fro last night, we reluctantly accepted the shirts fate. Until Viv, our amazing Uniform Shop Manager received a text at 10pm advising her that the warehouse would open at 6am. Rather than disturb me, Viv text me early this morning to say she had the boxes of shirts and was on her way to airport.

Shirts delivered!

Please thank our amazing Viv if you see in the Uniform Shop in the future. What a team effort!!

Dear all,

I am very disappointed to share with you that the tour shirts have not arrived. I will, however, arrange through your Heads of Campus, for you to wear your shirts to school for a week in Term 4. We tried everything we could but sadly, we were at the mercy of delivery.

In another development I can say that we have been working on the itinerary throughout the day. It seems that Mowanjum is not the only community in the Kimberley that has been impacted by deaths, and we have reshuffled and added things into the itinerary for you to get the best that the Kimberley has to offer.

I cannot share a copy of the itinerary as yet but when it becomes available, I will do so.

You will have to be mindful that some of the communities you visit are in mourning and many of their folk will have left and departed for funerals. Likewise at Frog Hollow school but we have put together an On Country Walk with the Year 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s and you will share their experiences and a smoking ceremony, along with some other surprise additions.

Apparently, it is very hot there at the moment so do not forget the hat, water bottle, sun cover and protection.

This should be the last post from me before you depart. Have a great time, immerse yourself in the experience. You are participating in something that many, if not most Australians have ever experienced.

Bon voyage.

Mrs Wilson

Service Learning Tours

Hello all,

I received a phone call this morning advising me that due to two deaths in the Mowanjum community, the art project that we were participating in will no longer go ahead. The community goes into an extended mourning period. I am working hard to try to find a replacement activity or extension of time that we spend in another community and then we will adjust the itinerary appropriately.

I am also expecting the tour shirts to arrive at school this afternoon. Mr Parker will bring them to the airport with him tomorrow morning and disperse them to you there.

I will keep you posted on any changes as they happen.

Regards

Mrs Wilson

Service Learning Tours

Hello all,

The latest from the supplier is that the shirts are in Toll’s hands and should be at their warehouse Tuesday afternoon. The supplier will then collect and deliver to the school. Mr Parker will collect them if he is still at school and disperse them at the airport on Wednesday morning. If that fails, I will collect them and deliver them to the airport in the morning.

Sorry for the disappointing news. Fingers crossed; I remain optimistic.

Donna Wilson

Service Learning Tours

Dear all,

Not long to go now!

Just letting you know that we are chasing up the supplier about arrival time of the tour shirts. We have been guaranteed that they will arrive prior to Wednesday next week. As soon as they do arrive, we will disperse them to you.