ATSI News

Warramalaya 

On the 27 April, 11 students from Year 8 to Year 12 and 4 staff from MCC and 47 students from Catholic High Schools across the Diocese attended the 4 day Warramalaya trip to Coffs Harbour. Warramalaya is an annual camp designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to develop their cultural connection and understanding.  

Upon entering Gumbaynggirr country, we were welcomed by local Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Marc and his son Matt. Over the next day, Uncle Mark indulged us with a repertoire of cultural knowledge of language, stories, totems and bush tucker and medicine, in our trip to National Park Bongil Bongil and the fish traps of Arrawarra. We were able to view Gumbaynggirr country from the lookouts and appreciate the importance that the sea, sky and land holds for culture and the history within the scenery. The third day had a strong focus on peer bonding and connecting to the land and sea. We began early on Sawtell beach where we were taught to surf and stay safe around water. This was followed by a showcase from ex-McCarthy student and Australia’s Got Talent contestant Mitch Tambo, who performed his music and played the Yiddakki alongside Cameron.

We would like to thank Lisa, Mel, Maddie and Miss Spicer for supervising and organising our safe travel and participation and Mr Whelan for allowing us to take this amazing opportunity to deepen our connection to our culture and experience first-hand the importance this years NAIDOC theme “heal country” has for the sustainability of environmental and cultural resources, language and storylines. 

The full gallery of photos is available on our Facebook Page.

J-Lee Nash

Year 12 Student

Miss Madeleine Simmonds-Cutts

Aboriginal Education Assistant