Our Top End tour saw two teams visit Daly River (Nauiyu) and the East Arnhem island community of Galiwin’ku. The teams packed a variety of activities into their five-day visits…

Nauiyu

Arriving after a short drive (compared to our desert trips, 2.5 hours is short!) to Daly River, the Red Dust team received the warm welcome we’ve become accustomed to when visiting this lovely community. Both the returning team members and the new ones were greeted like old friends, and everyone jumped right into the planned activities with much enthusiasm.

The classroom activities focussed on hygiene, with the students practicing their hand-washing technique and learning key messages that were reinforced in accompanying literacy activities. Goal setting was also a focus, with role models discussing their own goals and how they achieved them, and leading activities geared toward the students setting their own short and long-term goals. The team also participated in regular classroom work, helping with reading and literacy lessons.

Outside the classroom, the activities centred around art, athletics and swimming, with the pool being a popular option during the hot week.

Later in the week, the team was joined by a group of television and newspaper journalists covering the impending visit to Melbourne by four students from the community (see related story in News & Events). The media crew blended right in with the team and had a ball playing with the kids and capturing their community life on camera. They also enjoyed a bit of night-time croc spotting along the beautiful Daly River…yes, there were heaps!

Once again, Red Dust thanks the community and schools of Nauiyu for their warm and generous hospitality – and as always, we look forward to the next visit.

Galinwin'ku

While the Daly River team packed into 4WDs and headed west, the Galiwin’ku team headed back to the airport for a series of flights in planes that grew progressively smaller. By the time they got to Gove, they were squeezed into two light aircraft that cosily housed six role models, lots of sporting gear and music equipment.

Fondly described as an ‘island oasis’, the Elcho Island community of Galiwin’ku greeted the team with its white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and bright, happy faces. A bystander would never have known that this was Red Dust’s first visit to the community, such was the enthusiastic welcome and warm hospitality.

The arts were a big focus on this visit, with the team working with Shepherdson College to create a song, dance and artworks reflecting their community values and life. Up to 300 students, from prep to year 12, participated in a range of activities, with the older students writing and recording their song, ‘That’s The One’ – a cheeky number featuring their favourite saying and a specially choreographed dance.

In the classroom, nutrition and hygiene were covered, with various activities reinforcing key messages. Outside amongst the balmy breezes, role models worked with the school’s Sport & Rec officer to conduct skills sessions and organised games.

The end of the week came about all too quickly and the team was very reluctant to leave – and very excited about returning to continue the work and build on the relationships formed during this time. A big ‘thank-you’ to our friend George Shorrock of East Arnhem Sport & Rec, for his work in making the visit happen, and to the teachers of Shepherdson College for their amazing hospitality.