WARRAMALAYA

27th - 30th April

Warramalaya is an annual camp run by the Armidale Catholic School Office for a small group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Secondary students from each school. This year, the activities centered around the 2021 NAIDOC theme, Heal Country.

How excited everyone was to be heading to camp! We travelled hundreds of kilometres via bus to Coffs Harbour, on the lands of the Gumbaynggir people. St Philomena’s had eight secondary girls attend the camp from Years 8 to 10: Jameela Copeland, Anna-Lee Cory, Clare Cory, Denna McGrady, Selena McGrady, Jazmyn Copeland, Ebony McGrady and Katie Cory, who were accompanied by Shirley Johnson and Hanne Pedersen.

The first night we were welcomed with a campfire and dreamtime stories told by local elder, Uncle Mark and his son, Matt. The following day, they took us on a tour of the coast and bushland, where we were invited to taste bushtucker, and learn about the medicinal qualities of native flora and fauna, as well as some of the regenerative practices that are being implemented to heal country. The knowledge that was shared with us on this day was so inspirational.

The students (and willing staff!) were able to participate in surfing and a muddy commando course, aimed at building strength and pride within themselves. Some of the girls were hesitant to participate in surfing, and eventually joined in without any regrets. It was a beautiful day, and we were especially fortunate as rain was forecast. Many of the girls persevered and were able to stand up on their board and ride the smooth waves. The commando course was based on teamwork, and ended up being an absolutely hilarious activity, as we watched and helped each other through the plights of the course.

Undoubtedly, Mitch Tambo was a highlight of the camp. He is a former student of Warramalaya, and was made famous for his performance in Australia’s Got Talent. He is currently doing workshops in schools, bringing to light the importance of culture. Mitch and his wife performed some songs in language, and at the end of each song he would yarn about his struggles at school and his endurance to pursue his dream. He had a connection with everyone in the room and the students even participated in a song and dance. The song will be posted on his social media page, the students will be famous!

Overall, the camp was a great success; friendships were formed, and all will be looking forward to the next Warramalaya camp. Please find below some insights from our students.

Denna: "I really liked the dreaming stories as I felt really connected to some of them told by Uncle Mark. I enjoyed the fish dreaming story. The commando course was good because I pushed myself more than I would have normally, and we worked as a team. It was really funny seeing Anna-Lee and Katie fall over in the mud. Sightseeing was really good, a chance I wouldn't get to have in Moree."

Selena: "I am glad I went to Warramalaya as I learnt about culture, language and dreamtime stories. My favourite was about Mindi and the hill that turned to stone. I also really liked surfing because I haven’t done it before and it was fun to try out."

Ebony: "At Warramalaya, I learnt that healing country is different for people of different tribes, that there are different dreaming stories and lingo but we’re all connected. I learned that going back to country can be so calming and good for you mentally because you feel connected to your past and your ancestors' spirits."

Anna-Lee: "I enjoyed learning about my background and where I come from, especially languages and dreamtime stories. My favourite one was about when the kangaroo’s eyes were opened up. I also liked when Mitch Tambo visited us and told us his story and what being Aboriginal means to him, and how we are the oldest living culture in the world."

Jazmyn: "My favourite activity during the trip was the was the Mitch Tambo performance because it shows how much a person could have passion for one thing and how we should continue to celebrate our culture and educate others around us about our people. Another thing that I liked within the performance was that we got to learn small parts of our tribes lingo from him and listen to his music and stories."

Jameela: "The campfire on the first night was fun because we heard stories from Uncle Mark and Matt. I like the one about the kangaroo opening its eyes. The bush walk was also good because we got to learn about native foods and plants, such as the fern roots that can be used to stop bull ant stings."

Katie: "I liked that Mitch Tambo had a lot of things to say that related back to the Moree people. He was inspiring and interesting. The mud run was really fun when we were falling over and working as a team in the mud."

Clare: "My favourite of part Warramalaya was Mitch Tambo and how he told about the meaning behind his songs as well as good stories. I liked surfing because I have never done that before. It was fun working as a group in the mud run and we laughed at each other’s failures and just got better at it."

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