Warramalaya Retreat
Warramalaya Retreat - Port Stephens
The excitement was building and very evident from everyone on Monday morning all waiting for the start of the 2023 Warramalaya Retreat. All the normal banter about “have we got this, have we got that, have we forgotten anything”, and by the way where’s the bus. Departure time arrives, 9.30am on a chilly Armidale morning, and no bus as yet.
To everyone’s great relief, the Edwards coach comes around the corner and we are greeted by the ever smiling John ‘Hoppi’ Hopwood. “Everyone ready”. Hoppi sorts the luggage, all on board, Port Stephens here we come.
Traveling down the New England Highway we stop at McCarthy in Tamworth and change Coaches for the remainder on the trip. The excitement on the bus now with all the students on board gets very loud. With a quick stop at Singleton to grab something to eat we continue on to our destination, The Retreat near Anna Bay, Port Stephens. The accommodation is considered very nice as we all settle in with our room allocations and then dinner, some quiet time and then off to bed.
Off to Newcastle University with a great introduction to University life led by the great people from the Woolotooka Cultural centre. The students were given a great guided walk around the campus showing off many options available to Indigenous students
Here we see the students knee deep in microscopic science. Checking out some blood cells and finding out how interesting practical university science can lead to great opportunities after secondary education.
A great group shot of all the Warramalaya students on the 2023 retreat taken at Wollotuka cultural centre at University of Newcastle. A big thank you to the staff at the centre for the welcome they gave our students was outstanding.
Cultural bush knowledge was a welcome activity when we returned to the accommodation. The students were given the opportunity to engage in bush knowledge from their very own National parks guide. Here he shows Indigenous bush knowledge highlighting foods and medicines that were used in the region for 10’s of thousands of years.
The Koorioki night around the fire was a great way to finish off the day. The kids all got into it and a great time was had by all. It is really gratifying to see young kids who have only got together for the first time getting on so well and all with the common bond of the First Nations culture. The bush television is a great way to spend time just chillin.
Paicey punching out the vibe during a song
Tune selection time.
A lovely sunrise and early morning boot camp for all that are keen.
Here we have Adrian, Amelia, Jack and Keyden all contemplating their career choices.
Having a great feed at Anna Bay with great Aboriginal Education Assistants
Enjoying a walk in the ancestors footprints
Hearing about Culture and Country
A time for contemplation.
The Lads, Jackson Hastings and Kalyn Ponga, answering a few questions. There were many students very excited to meet and greet these dudes
Career in Physiology someone? There was a great deal of interest in Newcastle Nights Centre of Excellence and the back of house facilities. Many questions here could lead to great opportunities in the future for these great young adults.
It all just went too quickly. One minute we are leaving Armidale and the next we are back home. I'd like to say a big thank you to all the staff and AEA's that went on the Warramalaya Retreat. You did a wonderful job, even though the students made it easier by being really well behaved. Also, a big thank you to both Kate and Matt on the wonderful job they do and the wonderful job they did on our Warramalaya Retreat. Taking an entire week to look after students is a big thing and you both were absolutely wonderful. The students loved it. They were able to gain outstanding cultural knowledge and got to recognise that there are wonderful opportunities available to them, they just have to take them.
Kind Regards
Mr Frank Patricks