2007 and almost half a year down!!

Where does the time go?!

Since last entry, lots has happened. Time out here seems to go even faster than time in Sydney. Here I am a year and a half down the track from first arriving in Warmun and it is time to start thinking about going home. The question of the month is just that... Will I come home this year? If anyone has an answer to that one, be sure to let me know!!

After Jo's visit I went back to Sydney for Ben and Lisa's wedding, what a special day that was!! As I sit writing this I am counting down the days till their arrival later this month, before they head off on a world trip.

Nurragu (Leanne Mosquito) came to Sydney with me in those holidays, we had an awesome time and we are looking at taking the high school to Sydney at the end of the year.

Lucas, Me, Jo, Nurragu at Penshurst Pub

On return to Warmun, I caught up with a cowboy that I met at those races, and we have been seeing each other ever since. Rod, is currently working as a 'ringer' out on Argyle Downs station. Below is a picture of us at the latest Rodeo, his station manager and good friend Jo, organises the event. Hodgie (Rod) is on the organising committee.





He has introduced me to the life of cowboys, horses and bullocks. I must say it is a life that I am yet to tire of! We spend a lot of time out bush, exploring Aboriginal rock art and beautiful scenery.

Behind my head in the picture is some rock art on the property that Rod is working at this year

This year has brought 5 new teachers to Warmun, one of those has already moved on. Consistency for these students is so important, but the nature of the place lends itself to almost an entire new staff every year. The high school is doing well though. The growing number of students that we were getting has leveled off and we have a regular group of 30 students now!! (A lot better than the 4 that I started with!!). The principal Sr Alma has been very supportive in my ideas for the way things could run this year, and we are starting to resemble an actual high school, with 3 teachers, rotating classes, diaries, folders, email, etc.

A new teacher Dave takes the boys class for homeroom and I have the girls. Another new teacher, Nick, is the other teacher in the high school. We have really come a long way with these kids this year, it makes me want to continue another year. However, the remote issues are starting to take their toll on me and I am not sure how much more I have to give. This feeling goes in waves, but it lingers a little longer each time...

Students at Argyle Diamond Mine earlier this year

Term 1 saw some late floods in the area, 200ml in one evening nearly washed the community away!! Locals woke to water lapping at their mattresses! Turkey Creek was in full flood at 5AM. By the time I got to school, the flood was down to the top of the basketball courts. In the picture below you can just see my students stuck on the other side of the creek. Needless to say it wasn't a great day for attendance. It was almost like a town holiday was called and everyone went to the creek for a swim!

Last weekend I spent out bush with Rod. I got to count a few hundred head of cattle, and spend a beautiful night out under the stars...

Through the haze of the dust at sunset, you can just see the cattle staring at me...

The camp that Rod and the Argyle crew were at for 2 weeks (Sultan Hole)

There are a few more pictures and stories that I will share at a later date. Things are well here, I do miss NSW. I would love to do another year here, I am hoping these holidays bring me regeneration to help get me to the point where I can commit a bit longer. The progress of these students this year is amazing, my girls really are 'my girls' and it will break my heart to leave them...

Jo's Visit!

Non stop party is the only way to describe the past few weeks. Jo arrived on the 26th of August. Straight from the plane to the Kununurra Ladies Day Races!! We met up with the Waterloo Station crew, who I met a few weeks before at the Kununurra Rodeo... A fantastic night! Plenty of partying to be had by all. We are all in the same situation, limited social life where we work, and therefore a little wild when we are let out!!

The following week was the Kununurra Cup... Needless to say we made our way back to the race track and met up with a few friends from the week before!

The races were followed by breakfast and a slow day of recovery at a friends place before the drive home. Blitzen and Mango are pictured below...

The following week was filled with adventure as we entertained guests stopping in for dinner and a roof over their head on their way through Warmun. On the weekend we opted for a quite one with the funeral of a young man that died a few months before on the Saturday.

A few nights we visited the local night club, (AKA my place) with msuic cranked and the beverages flowing there were no complaints from the guests. Bouncer Mia at the door kept the crowds under control. The music was good, the drinks were cheap, there was plenty of room on the dancefloor and it wasn't a long walk home... What more can you ask from a nightclub?? I suppose a little talent wouldnt have gone astray! (Ah the things we do to entertain ourselves in Warmun!)

One afternoon we took a walk up the hill behind my house. Mia followed, aside from being near heart attack... She enjoyed her climb to the summit! She really does like it out here!

The sunset and the view is amazing from the top... Worth the climb!

Jo was in and out of the class room, and worked on her tan when she could! Below is Jo giving the Go Karts a whirl... Rumour has it she is 'deadly' on them... Well better than Miss Leanne!

The following week we reopened the nightclub. This time we found some talent (or the closest you can get in Warmun!) we had the electicians who were staying at the roadhouse next door over... Entry fee for males on this night consisted of steak and beverages (as the fridge was empty and the bar was dry!) They came through with the goods so we welcomed them with open arms.

The following day we had a womens sexual health day with the 6/7 and High School girls. It really was a fantastic day. In the afternoon we took the girls out bush for a camp out overnight. We throw this phrase "two way" around up here. It is about embracing tradition and culture and marrying it with the western life that surrounds us. On this day, I truly saw this appoach in action.

The girls were great during the day, especially given the risque content! Then later, it was amazing to see the girls take over as we arrived out bush. When I articulated that I was no longer in charge and that they were to teach me, their whole energy changed. I had 15 young girls all trying to impress... little women really. They made fire, cooked damper and cooked dinner for the elders and myself.

We listened to the elders talk about sexual health in their way around the campfire. Then, as the women chanted the girls danced. One by one we went off to bed and let the girls wear themselves out. I watched, one by one the girls made their way around one of the fires burning and started 'yarning' to my amazement they discussed what we had taught during the day. It brought a tear to my eye! From there they broke into song... Gospel songs! I just layed back in my swag, looked at the stars, I listened as I drifted off to sleep.

The Holidays Begin

After 2 weeks with Nick in the classroom, the holidays finally approached. We travelled to Kununurra to pick up Lucas, camped out under the stars and saw a few places on the way...

Above is Nick at Dead Horse Springs on the way to Lake Argyle.

After picking up Lucas from the Airport, off to El Questro... We popped two tyres on the way in... what an expensive start to our adventure! We camped first night in the campground with what seemed like 30,000 other tourists, the next night we got a private campsite... Amazing! There we were on the banks of the Pentecost River, with no one in sight or hearing distance! It was awsome, we 4WDrove out there and threw out or swaggs around the campfire at night. After borrowing local swaggs I finally invested in my own... I love it! Nothing like a night out under the stars in a swagg.

After a little confusion with getting Nick to the Airport, he left and Lucas and I headed down here to Warmun. A death in the community the other night, means that the camping I had planned with the locals may not happen, but, we will head out to the Bungle Bungles among other things.

Today we went out to Winnipa Springs a local spot, no tourists, no one... Beautiful. The drive out was a bit of fun... It is great having Lucas here!

Nick's Visit

My cousin Nick joined me up here for two and a bit weeks... He was at the school at a busy time and got to see a few things... Puppet show, sporting clinics, footy training, a visit to Argle Diamond Mine, dance class, cooking, go-karts AND a bush trip with the locals.

I had a maths inservice in Halls Creek and left Nick in the capable hands of Narragu (Leanne Mosquito, my friend and now Teaching Assistant) she and her brother took Nick out hunting. Well did I have a bone to pick with Narragu! They caught a 2.5M croc, a kangaroo, 2 bush turkeys, and goanna... All this while I was stuck in a Maths meeting!! I was jealous to say the least, Nick got to eat goanna too!! I can just picture them in the back of the troopy with their catch stacked high!!

Below is a picture of Nick on our way out to Winipa Springs a local swimming (boggi) spot.

Cricket Carnival

June came and went so fast! One event that was good for moral, was the trip to Kununurra for the cricket carnival withe John Rocca's 6/7 class. I was the female rep, I 'coached' the year 6's and John the year 7's and we took first and second for the carnival. I didn't mind being runner up to the other Warmun team...

An update…

The class numbers have increased again!! While it was one of my main goals this term and last, I am beginning to freak out a little with the numbers this term. We had record numbers of 19 students last Thursday… I did say I was coming out here for a challenge! An increasing number of them have been to school more this year than they have in their whole schooling life. So you can imagine where their literacy and numeracy skills are at!!

Some of them are unable to complete the alphabet! Behaviour is a major classroom focus (in fact it seems to be rare that I remember anything else from the day!!).

Below is T.J...

We average about 16 students a day at the moment the preparation for this is hard going. Practicals are a nightmare, but I am persisting! We have managed to produce some fine fashion bags this term. Surprisingly, it has been the boys that have wanted after school classes and have wanted to make more than one bag for their nannas (how sweet!).

Food Tech practicals are also a nightmare… The key now, I think, is to have plenty of veggies to prepare. Lots and lots of cutting to keep them occupied! They do enjoy the food lessons and must be taking heed of what I say, as they hide their meat pies as I walk past at lunch time these days!!

‘Baby steps’ I keep telling myself. I have huge fears that I am not doing these kids justice as a teacher, but have seen changes in these beautiful kids already, so I am not giving up yet!

Confirmation and Pentecost Celebrations

Today five of my students made their Confirmation. They were stoked to have so much attention focused on them!

It seems even important religious feasts run on ‘Kimberley time’ in Warmun. Last night we celebrated Pentecost, a huge celebration with ‘Killer’ (a whole bullock) roasted slowly in a ground oven all day for dinner and Corroboree around the campfire.

A real privilege to be a local at this event...

Camp Out

Yep it’s time to purchase a swag! Last week I camped out with some of the locals in a dried up river bed on the back of one of the Stations just north of Warmun. The Station manager is happy to have us out there as long as we let him know as we pass the homestead.

We camped out under the stars snuggled up in a swag with fires front and back for warmth. I woke at around 4AM just in time to watch a huge, almost full moon sink across the horizon with a magic haze around it.

I managed to get my 4WD bogged up to its axles. Worried for a little while I pulled out the trusty shovel and managed get the wheels rotating again. The next morning one of the other vehicles toed me out (any excuse to use the new snatch strap!)

Bush Trip to Camel Creek

The week before last I took my class out bush, we foraged for bush food! I was loving it… I tell you what, if you didn’t know exactly what you were looking for you would starve out here!!

We collected some sugar bag which is like honey. It is produced by a little insect which looks like a fly. The make their nests in termite mounds or some times holes in trees. We went in search around the termite mounds at Camel Creek. You search for one or two little flies hovering and then listen to see if there is a buzz coming from the mound. If there is... dig!!

The syrup inside is beautiful, just like honey, the nectar around is a little bitter, but I have some funny ideas for use in cooking!!

The kids scrambled to the top of Boab trees (OH&S? only refers to Oh Holy Spirit out here!)

They collected the nuts, which I’d tried before. They are like powdery apple with plenty of seeds big seeds. We snacked on Boab nuts as we searched for sugar bag…

Shirley (one of the elders with us) managed to find some yams. We toasted those on the fire. They are the roots of tree suckling, they tasted like potato.

We made damper, they liked my girl guide trick of swirling it around a stick, baking it, removing it and filling it with sugar bag!! Below, Francis is showing his potential in 'Axe safety101!'

Holidays

So much on... Who would have thought there were so many things to do in the desert?? Needless to say I got my party fix! The local teachers went off for the holidays and Leanne's house became party central!!

It also helped that I had some Sydney folks to help get the party going! Mum and Dad were up for the holidays, Jay also came up... We had an awesome time on the Argyle/Ord River cruise... (below)

A fantastic Cruise, you have no idea the amount of water that passes through this place!! Let's say NO water restrictions... and 90% of the Millions of litres that pass through this place goes to the ocean. Amazing.


From there, invited the helicopter pilots (Stu and Sam) to dinner, a great night. Stef from Mirilinki came too... Forming a little social group... That party ended in the wee hours of the morn with one of the pilots on the couch... He also managed us a free flight over the Bungles the next day.


Next morning got breath tested by Karl the local cop at the bottom of my driveway, and left with an invitation for dinner and a tour of the Diamond Mine in the evening. We got to drool over the In affordable diamonds for a while. A good night on Rio Tinto.


The following day we drove into the Bungles, again, amazing... Quite a rough 4WD as well... 3 hours for only 50km!

Jay left... Mum and Dad hung around for a few more days... A fishing trip to Bow River...

The only sizable thing we managed to catch was a little freshie!

And a swim with Dad as the local novelty!

The Bungle Bungles - Fulfilling a Childhood Dream

WOW! What an trip... A last minute decision made yesterday... One of the best last minute decisions ever made... I think pictures speak louder than words... Today I fulfilled a childhood dream, and the smile is still from ear to ear.

My Gardening Experience!

Well, who would have thought! I got stuck into a bit of gardening and I love it!! On Saturday I went up to Kununurra, got all inspired and spent way to much money on a range of bits for the garden… herbs, bushes, pot plants, pots, peat, potting mix… I spent all of Sunday weeding and planting... Here’s hoping that the brown thumb is turning a lighter shade of green!

Below are some shots of the bugs that were happy to let me close to them, after hanging out with them all day!

A Red Dragonfly (dragonflies signify the start of the dry)

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A Grasshopper (this colour grasshopper is also a sign of the dry approaching!)

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A Green Tree Frog (who snuck into my house the other night!)

Trip to Argyle Diamond Mine

Earlier this month we took the high school students out to the Argyle Diamond Mine. I was met with very mixed emotions on the journey. The mine is actually on a traditional women's Dreaming spot. The story of the Barramundi Dreaming is about these hills that they are tearing apart... The women were the custodians of the land. The mining company came in and found a small group of Aboriginal men, not even from the community and got them to sign papers giving them permission to mine the sight. The women of Warmun are the custodians of that land it was a big blow to them.

A small group of the Warmun women fought for the rights from the land as a result, the community receives a small 'kickback' (to use the popular term). So here I am torn. I am being told that most of my students will end up working at the mine... but, it is so completely against their culture that we are trying so hard to preserve! As I talk more and more to the community members out here and listen to their stories about the land, my once a month excursion becomes harder and harder to face...

Above is a picture of three of my students, with a backdrop of the mine. The picture is taken from the top of the mine at the viewing platform. The tyre is from one of the trucks that move around the slopes, huge! The distinct steps are visible for miles as you pass the area in the Kimberley.