Student News

Journey in the Kimberley

with Year 10 student Alex Kukainis 

This week I got to sit down with MBSC year 10 student Alex Kukainis and chat about his recent trip to the Kimberley with the Outdoor School's 2023 Future Maker's extension program.

Welcome back Alex! Where have you been??

I went to the Kimberley - flew to Broome then we travelled by 4WDs to the Kimberley region.  We camped out in the bush for 5 nights, stayed in an Aboriginal community for a week, went back out bush and then headed to Broome and Cable Beach.

What's something funny (geographically) that lots of people get wrong about the Kimberley?

They think it's in the Northern Territory!  It's in Western Australia!

What were your 1st impressions?

The heat! We went at the start of the dry season so it was hot, dry and windy, but the wet season had just finished so there was still flooding around and flood recovery happening (like the rebuilding of the Fitzroy Crossing bridge).

Where did you sleep?

Under the stars or in a tent when we were out bush - it was amazing.  

Describe something interesting you ate on your trip?

We caught and ate emu.  To prepare it for cooking we put spinifex grass on the feathers and burnt them off to get rid of the excess, plucked it and placed hot rocks inside so that it can cook the insides.  We cooked it in a ground oven - it's a big hole dug in the earth - we put the emu in, then covered it in the blood and feathers and hot coals.

What did the emu taste like?

A cross between beef and lamb I thought.

Can you tell me about some of the activities you took part in?

We swam into some beautiful caves which was an amazing experience, but then we found out that where the water trickles down in the caves, underneath where it is warm - that's where the crocodiles like to hang out!

What will you take away from this trip, learning-wise?

I learnt so much about the challenges that the aboriginal people have living out here in the communities - especially in relation to the big issues like mining rights.  There is such a strong connection to country here and to the places and animals in their dreamtime stories.  Their dreamtime stories really made sense when you could see and go to the places they were talking about and really experience them with all of your senses.

What are you grateful for about this trip?

I feel so thankful to the elders who shared their knowledge with us - it really brought learning about aboriginal culture and history to life.  Things that we have leant about in school - like the stolen generation - were really shown in a different light when we met those from that era and who had experienced being taken from their families.

What did you do in the Aboriginal community you stayed in?

There were 7 of us students and we helped out in the school - teaching classes like PE - and learnt so so much from all the great kids and elders there.  

Did you learn any new words?

kuarnia is the word for a fresh water crocodile, a 'freshie' and the 'k' is pronounced as a 'g'.  

We saw a "wobitor" - a water monitor in the cave (see pic below).  I even got nipped by one when swimming in the water!

What is a special memory you took home with you?

I was given a bush name and welcomed into the Booroonkoo family as a part of a skin group ceremony.  A skin group doesn't have anything to do with the colour of your skin - but it is about family, your clan, a really big important support network that has its own rules and traditions - like who you can marry and who girls are allowed to talk to, for example.  I now have a whole new family I am a part of - aunties, uncles, 4 mums and 3 dads - it was an honour to be so welcomed and included.  

Talking footy with Carmela P

Interview by Evie N

I've been hounding Year 9 student Carmela for weeks trying to pin her down to hear about all of her amazing football achievements this year - seriously - this girl is awesome on the field!  In the end - I got fellow student, friend and footy team player Evie to do the job for me (and yes, much hilarity ensued...)!

Why football?

I've always loved watching and playing footy.  I used to play soccer but now I just play AFL.

Where do you want to end up?

I'm currently doing vline, which is an U/15 representative team for NE Victoria and I'm hoping to get into the "Bushies" (aka Murray Bushrangers) which is the U/16 or U/19 rep side.  I'd love to play for the AFLW one day.

What team do you barrack for?

Carlton (but sometimes Collingwood 'cos Dad likes Collingwood)

What is one of your recent footy achievements?

I won the League's RU best and fairest and I won our Thurgoona Club's best and fairest award at the recent award presentations.

What's your favourite footy position to play and why?

Ruck Rover - lots of running and always a part of the action.

How many times a week do you train?

Tuesdays and Thursdays with the Bombers, Wednesdays with Thurgoona / vline and games on Sunday.

Who's your footy idol?

Sam Walsh

What are your feelings about the pay-gap between male/female players?

It's not fair - female players need to earn enough so they don't have to try and work 2 jobs.  I'd also like to see more rounds - AFLW only have 10 compared to the AFL which has 24.

Favourite person on our team?  (Is it me...hint...hint...?)

Yes....ok - it's you Evie! 🤣🤣

Someone that inspires you?

I really enjoyed meeting Billy Cootee (ex student and now VFL Captain of Essendon) the other day.  He signed a great quote onto my football.