#commbank secondment

[sydney-eyes]

"Be prepared to be wrong about everything".

That might prove to be the best advice we'll get given up here. 

That gem came from Will who runs the Yirrkala Arts Centre. He says to come to North East Arnhem Land with an open mind, listen, ask questions.

Today was the first day working on my secondment project. It's been like any first day at a new job...but on steroids. There has been so much to absorb, to take in, to challenge me, to make me think and question and wonder. 

I'm working with Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation which has four clinics across the region. Before I'd even been in the main office for 15 minutes, I was whisked off to explore the three mainland clinics of Yirrkala, Nuhulumbuy and Gunyagara. 

Everyone I met today ‐ the clinic managers, doctors, nurses and other employees ‐ gave so much of their time, warmly, to share their stories, insights, challenges and opportunities. 

In the middle of day one, I also had the privilege of attending the first year memorial service for Dr Yunupingu. He was the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed a school principal, of Yirrkala School. He was also named Australian of the Year in 1992. An extremely well respected man. 

There were at least a couple of hundred people in attendance. Kids playing and running around, older women cross‐legged in the shade of the trees, men quietly observing the day. 

The Australian, Aboriginal and Northern Territory flags were raised to start proceedings, and a couple of prominent, local Aboriginal men gave speeches to share their messages about the importance of education for the future of the community. 

A few men, women and children danced to the didgeridoo and clap sticks. With a breeze coming through the trees and the hot sun burning down on us, it felt rather mesmerising, almost meditative. 

After speeches, thanks and recognition, the band East Journey played. The lead singer is one of Dr Yunupingu's grandsons. They're about to head off on tour around Australia and it was really awesome to hear them. Here's one of their songs ‐ Song of Arnhem Land.

It didn't seem appropriate to take photos of today. I just have my memories. 

I took in so much. 

Listening. Asking questions. Remaining open. Feeling so many different things.

And being prepared to be wrong about everything. 

[sydney-eyes]

The Adventures of Camping North East Arnhem Land Style

After stocking up on food for the cattle farm camping trip, we put our feet up on the beach and did some unsuccessful (or successful, depending on your point of view) croc‐spotting. 

Then we hit the road in our four‐by‐four‐ers. 

After bouncing around through pot‐holes and river floodways for a couple of hours, we made it to the camp. Garrathiya cattle farm. 

Between us we shared out tent construction, firewood collection, sleeping bag allocation, kitchen set‐up. And toilet cleaning. 

Funnily enough, not that many people jumped up to do the toilet cleaning.

But Rachel, Will, Rhys, Denita and I, um, rather begrudgingly volunteered for this gem of a job. This was a Big Job. Imagine five pigeons stuck in a toilet block for a week and you probably have a fairly good idea of the state of these dunnies. We double‐layered our latex gloves in preparation. 

Some serious Domestos‐ing, hose‐jetting, nose‐holding‐while‐scrubbing sorted them out though. They were almost sparkling by the time we finished with them. Almost. 

Whilst I don't especially want to remember the Big Job, the rest of the camping trip was very memorable (read: rather eventful). 

The tents flooded after a downpour. One tent blew away. Shoes reached their last legs. We almost got bogged in a field. We nearly got charged by a buffalo. We reversed into a tree. Crows stole our macadamias. We got visited by green frogs, cane toads and huge crickets. 

The best bit was that we all laughed the entire time. 

(Photo above courtesy of Wendy in our group)

Despite the eventfulness, with blow‐up mattresses and some seriously good cooks in the group, we were at the glamping end of the camping‐to‐glamping spectrum. 

We ate like Kings. Scrambled egg and bacon for breaky, all‐day slow cooked stew and risotto for dinners, marshmallows on the fire, and damper with butter and maple syrup. 

The night sky was unreal. 

It doesn't get more Australian than this. 

[sydney-eyes]

What I'm up to for the next 6 weeks...

I arrived in Nhulumbuy last night. It's about as far north as you can get in Australia. As you expect from somewhere so remote, there was a blanket of stars from one horizon to the other. 

Day one here has been about navigating our way around the town. We've been meeting some locals, gaining an insight into the organisations we’ll be working with for six weeks, and getting a glimpse into the complexities of this place, the culture, the history, the opportunities.

We’ve been learning about this as a community and culture of sharing, compassion, no judgement.

Jawun ‐ an organisation that partners corporate volunteer secondees with local Indigenous organisations to share their expertise, skills and knowledge ‐ is very well respected here. We’ve been warmly welcomed for our curiosity and interest in the region.

Very quickly we’ve become accustomed to the red dust and the blue skies. To a slower pace. And it's only day one. What will it be like after six weeks?

Tomorrow it’s 4x4‐training and apparently we’re going extreme. Pot holing, river driving, learning to change a tyre. 

Will we spot a croc at the river crossing?