I wear it over my heart

Recently I was gifted a Yiramalay pin – finally my chance to sport the pin after 3 ½ years of teaching in the program. The design is the familiar Yiramalay logo on an oval-shaped pin. I wear it over my heart, and it has taken on a special symbolism for me. The concentric circles mirror the layers of living and working remotely; the background is the colour of the ground we become accustomed to walking on daily; and the multi-coloured dots remind me of students and staff from different communities across WA and NT, as well as the Melbourne mob.

It is true I have started a teaching job in a different school, but I have drunk from the Fitzroy River, and I know I will return to the Fitzroy Valley, and will definitely return to travel that red dirt road back out to school.

Mary Zbierski-West, (Former Yiramalay) Teacher