Induction 44

Induction 44 reflections 

I’m Mirranda Brooking and I am from Derby. I came to Yiramalay to do Induction 44. My favourite thing about Induction was going on country to 6 Mile and talking to the elders and painting with them. We were talking with Mervyn (Street) about his lifestyle and his art, and how he started painting. I love being with this mob here, students and staff. I might go and see what Melbourne is like and try it out there. I am a SYPP student now and hoping to finish school here – I have my sister here to help and my brother Quilon is one of the mentors. It was a fun term and I like it! 

Mirranda Brooking, Induction 44 

My name is Wayne Watts and I’m from Alice Springs. My uncle Rohan Watts came here to school and so I did too. My Induction was Induction 44 and it was good getting to know everyone real quick. It was fun doing things with my new friends, meeting new people and playing a lot of sport with everyone. The culture here is different to mine back home and that’s interesting. Putting a rock under the armpit at swimming spots is not something we do at home. We do this thing at home called Wide Open Spaces where we get painted up and dance for tourists to welcome them to country. I grew up on a block just like it is here - but not far out of town, and we do all the same sort of stuff there. The boarding is good here because everything is fair! 

Wayne Watts, Induction 44 

My name is Alonzo Rogers and I grew up in Fitzroy Crossing, in Junjuwa community. I have two siblings, a mum and dad, and a few dogs and one long-necked turtle. I came to Yiramalay for Induction 44 this term. I was nervous and excited. We went to the Yiramalay Spring, to 6 Mile, and the creek before 6 Mile. We also went to Derby for basketball and to the jetty there. We were meant to go crabbing but we slept in. As part of Induction we went to Geikie Gorge to swim, fish and look for bush tucker and bush medicine. We tried to go to Tunnel Creek, but we got bogged for three hours. We got the bus out of the mud and then we came back towards 6 Mile. I am having a good time here, I like having a laptop and Wi-Fi and the food is good. I met a boy from Alice Springs and his name is Wayne. He is a good friend – the best roommate ever! I was at Fitzroy Valley District High School before I moved to Yiramalay school. I like it here and it is better. 

Alonzo Rogers, Induction 44 

Hello, my name is Shannon Smith-Haynes and I am from Mount Isa, which is in the centre of Queensland. I am currently at Yiramalay Studio School and my experience with coming to the school has been welcoming. Induction 44 was very different for me from being home. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone, but I have seen stunning places that I wouldn’t have dreamt of seeing back in my hometown. I have learned a variety of things about this culturally rich land. The main reason I came to Yiramalay was to experience my culture because I am a Bunuba woman and being here I have learnt so much more and am now more aware of my culture and bloodline. Even though my Induction was cut short because of the wet weather I have learned so many new things and had so many different experiences that I didn’t know before or had even thought about. I would highly recommend coming to this school and experiencing what there is to offer. 

Shannon Smith-Haynes, Induction 44