Making incredible memories in the NT

Last week 38 excited year 10 students headed to Alice Springs for a 9-day camp, where we didn’t know what to expect. I really believe that everyone who went would say they had the most amazing, life-changing, and inspiring experience ever. It was a trip that will be cherished forever not only because of the memories, but the lifelong friendships and the social, mental, and physical skills we all gained. Over the 9 days we moved from 3 different base locations, Alice Springs, Lilla, and Uluru.

In Alice Springs we started our journey exploring the McDonald Ranges, swimming in surreal waterholes, and learning about the Indigenous culture through all the different locations we visited. We traveled about 7 hours to Lilla, which is a small remote Indigenous community located in Watarrka National Park. Lilla was a highlight for me, and it was so special to all of us.

We were surrounded by so many sacred places that really helped us connect to another culture. We were smoked onto country on arrival, where we met Keith and James Paul. They were members of the Indigenous community who showed so much kindness and generosity to us. Lilla was so meaningful for so many of us because it was the place where a lot of us connected, being completely away from the outside world, we bonded over little things that brought us so much closer as a group. We sat together, braiding hair, playing cards, meditating by waterfalls, doing dot painting, listening, and singing to music, and the most special thing of all, sleeping under the stars. After 3 nights in Lilla, we travelled to Yulara where we were able to explore our environment further and discover Uluru and Kata Tjuta national park. In Yulara we had the opportunity to go camel riding and watch the sunset over Uluru every night.

This trip meant so much to all of us, if you asked any one of us they would say you have to go! The encouragement and positivity from each and every one of us made us thrive! On behalf of all the students I would like to say thanks to Mr. Holleman and Ms. Lester for working so hard to organize this for us, as well as thanks to the incredible teachers who came along and were able to share this experience with us, they couldn’t have picked a better group!

~Ruby B Year 10

The Northern Territory Trip was easily the best camp that I’ve been on at this school. Learning new information on the local community, being told stories that have been passed down for centuries, and creating memories that will last forever.

My main highlights were:

The Kings Canyon walk: Having ‘Heart-attack Hill’ to start the walk was harsh but worth it. The views were spectacular and the rain that comes 3 times a year made it all better, making waterfalls, and colours boom.

Ellery Creek Big Hole: The big pool of water that went beyond 30 meters deep, was such a refreshing relaxing part of the trip. The colour of the rocks surrounding the water was unforgettable.

Sleeping in Swags: This was a first for me, and I’d do it a thousand times again. Being able to sleep out in the open, under the stars, then waking up naturally to the beautiful sunrise was something I’d never forget.

Then there are all of the small memories that make the trip one in a lifetime quality.

Cards in Alice; celebrating a mate's birthday; trying kangaroo tail; spear making; dot painting; little games of cricket where we can; NFL vortex

Also all the ones that started of bad but ended up making us all laugh: getting woken up at 5am by rain and our tour guide, Jackson, and his music; Heart attack hill and the long bus drives.

In the end, it was easily the best camp, and I look forward to repeating those memories for many years to come.

~Toby S Year 10

Going on the Northern Territory trip was the highlight of year 10. It was such a privilege to be able to experience, and it was truly life changing. We travelled first to Alice springs, then Lilla and finally to Uluru over 9 days. Some highlights from the trip were the Kings Canyon walk- a 6 km walk around the rim of Kings Canyon. About 1km into the walk it started raining which allowed us to see a waterfall that our tour guide had never seen before! By the end of the walk, it was hot and sunny again, but walking through the rain just made it so much more memorable.

Another highlight was the Glen Helen Gorge waterhole. It was the perfect remedy for the hot weather and so much fun. The experience of being in Lilla was also one of the most enjoyable moments. Meeting Keith and James Paul and learning more about their culture, stories and what is important to them was so incredible and eye opening. Watching the sunset behind Uluru and sleeping under the stars each night was something unforgettable. Overall, it was the best group of people and everything down to the little things like the bus rides, the hair braiding, and the new friendships made it the most special.

~Pippi A Year 10

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