Somerset Lifetimes 2019 Semester 2

Barambah B3 RETURNS TO

allowed us to be engaged in different activities such as watching corroboree, storytelling, beading and painting. Lunch times were also always so much fun – whether or not it was sharing stories or running around with the students on the oval. There were always so many smiles on their faces after a lunch time soccer or basketball game. Every afternoon we returned on the bus after school with many new stories and reflections to share. Time spent with Community Health Manager Mrs Christine Stewart and Aboriginal Elder Uncle Eric Law (AM) were somethings that we reflected on together throughout the remainder of the trip. Listening to the history and hardships faced by Indigenous Australians, both in the past and at present in communities such as Cherbourg, was an integral part of our trip to the Wakka Wakka country. The efforts made by the First Settlers to eradicate indigenous people and culture from their land was difficult to hear. Uncle Eric made us think about the parts of history that we cannot change and asked us how we can learn from those past mistakes. Listening to Christine was also another difficult experience for many of us. Through Christine’s presentation about the mental wellbeing of the Indigenous Australians in Cherbourg at the Bunya Nursery, we began to really see the vicious cycle and deepening crisis that Indigenous Australians have been facing since European arrival. The truths we became aware of on this trip have profoundly changed our perception of Australian history. The Indigenous people from Cherbourg and Barambah do not want sympathy from us but rather empathy and understanding. It is unrealistic that visiting for a week would ‘fix’ all the problems faced in the area, however, our action provided much needed encouragement, support and hope. Sharing the classroom with the students of Murgon and Moffatdale Schools gave rise to new understandings, new relationships and renewed hope. On behalf of our group, I would like to thank Mr Brad Walker, Mrs Clare Walker and Ms Daneale Scandrett for accompanying us. They have given us the precious opportunity to walk alongside the children at Moffatdale and Murgon State Schools during the past week. Our time in Wakka Wakka country is something that none of us will ever forget. Lilliana Swainson Year 10 Student

An excited group of Year 10 students travelled in June from Somerset College, four hours north-west of the Gold Coast on our third annual Barambah trip (B3) to Wakka Wakka country. With the success of previous Barambah trips before us, we were all very eager to carry on the work done by previous Somerset College students at Murgon State School and to also form new relationships with Moffatdale State School. Throughout the trip we were immersed in the Barambah and Cherbourg culture and history to better understand the struggles and real-life trauma faced by the First Nations people as well as the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous peoples today in Australia.

After being ‘officially’ welcomed to Country we were all engaged in a moving Smoking Ceremony. Somerset College students were truly welcomed into the Murgon and Moffatdale school communities as we worked alongside the students during the week. It did not take Somerset students long to make many new friends. The children were so excited to meet with us just as we were so excited to meet them. National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Day known as NAIDOC Day at Murgon State School was a highlight of the week for many. A day that

B3 Returns To Barambah

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