ARMtour Day 5: I’m grateful for sunrise, snags and sportsmen!

 Sunrise in Arrernte Country: Waking up in Santa Teresa compared to Sydney is like waking up in another world altogether. And although both manage to soothe my soul in different ways, this morning’s experience was breathtaking.  

Dawn was barely breaking with Rebekah, Cathy, Michael and I climbed to the top of the hill and the cross that can be seen as you drive into town from Alice Springs. Before the town itself was awake a calmness wafted over us ad we took in the stunning sunrise and landscape of Arrernte country.

  

Community BBQ: Nothing brings a community together like a good ol’ Aussie BBQ. Santa Teresa was no different today as NASCA hosted a healthy barbie at the local pool where the students, teachers and family members all tucked into salads and snags, steaks and chicken (I’m told some of the best ever eaten!) provided by Catholic Education.

 

The lads – Michael, Marc and Anthony (pictured above) - did a fine job cooking for hours, and not that we divvied the work up by gender, but the gals did a lot of the serving of the coleslaw and potatoes salads – what’s a barbie without those eh? As kids jumped in and out of the pool to grab an apple or orange, it made me realise how good food and exercise can be made into a fun community event.

 

NCIE Community of Excellence: Today Cathy and I had the opportunity to sign up students at the school to the very deadly Community of Excellence on-line facility for goal setting and mentoring through the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence. Many think there is a disconnect between city and remote areas, but there isn’t and needn’t be as many of us travel to do voluntary work through programs like ARMtour to ensure that Australians across the land can enjoy the privileges many of take for granted in the city. This new on-line community – protected and moderated – is another way that we as role models can keep in touch with students we meet on tour, long after we are gone, and it means we can support goal setting / reaching wherever we are. Michael also offered to do some on-line personal training for students via this forum. How excellently innovative is that?

Marc Geppert: I’m grateful for my team member, the easygoing Marc Geppert. Marc is the Participation Manager for AFL NSW /ACT (Southern NSW) and brings to our visit to Santa Teresa, a playing background with the Sydney Swans, an ability to play basketball and cook a barbecue. He played a mean shark in the pool yesterday, flew a kite today and is learning the skill of UNO as I write this. If he’s not loading and unloading the van, high-fiving kids at school, he’s making sure we have inspirational music in the background.

This is Marc’s first ARMtour but asked if he would return, his quick response was: “Definitely. It’s a remote community and they love their footy!”

The pic above is of Marc on the footy field. We can’t show pics of the kids but you can see that he had them hanging off him – a common experience for ARMtour role models who are much respected. Some are loved more than others because the locals LOVE their football!

ARMtour Day 4: Sharks in the desert, and karate lessons on the footy field!

I'm grateful my team mates didn't drop me!

Today we spent five hours in the local swimming pool in Santa Teresa. It’s been closed for a while and all the kids seemed excited that it’s recently re-opened. At 40 degrees, I was pretty thrilled myself. Our job as ARMtour role models was to coordinate activities to entertain the students but also build skills and confidence in the pool. I think it’s fairly safe to say we all had a ball. 

It’s not easy to run through the water with four little kids hanging off you though, but boy it was fun! As I threw kids into the air (at their request of course!) and towed them on blow-up dolphins and lielos I heard a whole range of different laughter and it warmed my heart. It momentarily made me wish I’d kids of my own. It also made me believe I could work in a remote community for a couple of years. But then at 3pm when school was over, and the heat was still debilitating, I nearly collapsed with exhaustion and knew there was no way I could get up do that all over again tomorrow, let alone for alone for a year.

 What's the time Mr Shark? Anthony, moi, Cathy, Marc and Michael

There was much to be grateful for today and as we sat in our accommodations tonight, here’s what each Santa Teresa Team member was grateful for:

Cathy’s grateful for: ‘I’ve spent my whole life in a pool, so the novelty wore off a long time ago. Today I was grateful to see the smiles on the faces of kids who found so much joy in jumping into the water.”

Rebekah’s grateful: I’m grateful for the amount of thank yous, when I handed students their superstar pennants for the day. It made me happy to see their faces light up just receiving pennant but they were so grateful.

Michael’s grateful: ‘Early morning serenity, and the opportunity to have a run around a dusty red oval in central Australia.’  [Michael made a short video this morning during our training to help the local kids train using the local landscape and facilities. See, he made me run the stairs at the footy oval, AND do leg lifts!

Leg raises at this hour? Really?

Marc’s grateful – “I’m grateful we had a pool (and footballs) in 40 degree heat in the middle of the desert.”

Anthony’s grateful: “I’m grateful that our black ARMtour rashies didn’t spontaneously combust.” 

ME? I’m grateful that Anthony Tockar is my team. The Sydney-based actuary recently won the Australian Karate National Championship in Brisbane and is bringing his martial arts expertise to the community of Santa Teresa. At dusk on the local football oval tonight, he even developed a short video with simple karate exercises for young children and / or teachers to use in the classroom when their students may be lacking energy and / or engagement. 

Anthony came on ARMtour because he heard about the program and believed he could make a valuable contribution to whatever community he was asked to visit. One word to describe his experience in Santa Teresa is “moving”.

ARMtour Day Three: Gardeners, dreamers, teachers, trainers plus more!

Sorry for the late posts of my blogs from ARMtour, but the only access I had to the internet was in the school library and I didn't get time to post while I was there... so they'll come over the next little while now that I am back in Sydney. 

Here's my gratefuls for day three in Santa Teresa!

DINGOES ARE NOT DOGS: As part of ARMtour we’re using the fabulous book Dingoes are not Dogs  about differences and similarities. A story by Dr Chris Sarra (QLDs Australian of the Year 2010) illustrated by the children of Cherbourg State School, it is a great story about reaching out to those who may be different to ourselves. It’s also a valuable resource for teachers to use for discussion. Check it out here! 

SANTA TERESA CHURCH: Perhaps the most famous landmark in this community is the Santa Teresa Church because of the extraordinary murals covering it’s walls. You can’t take photos inside the church so you’ll have to go visit yourself one day! In the meantime you can get a glimpse of the artwork via the coordinator Cait Wait’s website.  From the outside, the church looks a little like this (below) at dawn…  

ENTHUSIASTIC STUDENT GARDENERS: Cathy and I worked in pairs today, and we started the morning with a tour of the veggie garden built and cared for by Years 4/5. With roles of raking, weeding and watering of the beans, snow peas, pumpkins, corn, and spinach I was hard not to be impressed with the collective green thumbs. I was however surprised to learn that watermelon actually thrives in the reddish soil there. I was grateful to see such enthusiastic young kids serious and passionate about managing their healthy produce. Apparently, they’re making spinach and cheese omelettes soon; I’m hoping I get an invitation.

OTHER PEOPLE’S DREAMS: I’m lucky to have been able to follow many of my dreams, and I am thrilled when I meet young Aboriginal kids with dreams of their own, whatever they may be. In class today, Cathy and I talked about our lives and careers and asked the students to write down some of their own dreams to put in a dream box we gave them. Within their lists, the 9 year olds cited: playing AFL, becoming a famous singer, being a shop worker, going to the Olympics, being a shop worker, visiting their Dreaming land (Yeperenye), travelling to Adelaide, New York, Sydney and even the Holy Land. And almost half the class said their dream was to be a school teacher. That’s got to be the best compliment for any teacher. And a big shout out to Miss Sharon for introducing me to the class ‘Wake Up’ song and for the best rendition of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline (with actions by the kids) ever!

ABORIGINAL TEACHER AIDES: It’s fabulous to work in classrooms with ATAs because they help translate all my fast talking English to the kids in the classroom. It was also great to work alongside local Aboriginal teacher Jeannette today, who first taught back at the school in the 1960s.

Michael Hennessy training at daybreak in Santa Teresa

MICHAEL HENNESSY There are so many reasons I am grateful for Michael Hennessy being in our team. Not only am  I friends with his mum Judi (she was part of writing Yirra and her deadly dog, Demon with the kids at La Perouse), he’s also a generous, gentle soul who also happens to be a deadly personal trainer. Now, bearing in mind that I always consume five times more food on ARMtour than I normally do (running around with kids makes me want to eat a loaf of bread), it’s important to also train when I’m on the road. And Michael, the consummate professional had me up stretching, lunging, squatting and crunching at 6am. Don’t believe me, well check out the photos!

Michael made me do killer crunches!

Most of you know I won’t sleep in a swag, but I had no problem doing my pushups and crunches in/on one. Looking for a great trainer in Sydney, or some training tips, following Michael on Twitter @OutFitHealth or check him out online.

What? I have to do the push-ups slowly? 

On today’s ARMtour activities, Michael says, “I’m grateful for the warm reception from the kids”.

That's something I think we were all grateful for!

Looking forward to what tomorrow brings!

[Thank you to DEEWR who fully funds ARMtour as part of the Sporting Chance Program]

ARMtour Day Two: Thelma, Louise and Helen

Thelma, Louise and Helen!

Day Two of ARMtour saw the young and enthusiastic role models climb ANZAC Hill at sunrise. The rest of us chose to take the opportunity to gather strength through an extra few minutes sleep in preparation for the week ahead. There’s not a lot of free time, and even less access to the internet, but I’ll try to keep up my gratefuls over the week. Here’s a few for Monday:

I’m grateful for Indigenous media supporting ARMtour: A morning cultural awareness program lead by Blake Borgia and Travis Lane was followed by a group of us heading to CAAMA Radio  for a yarn with Paul Wiles, News Director. CAAMA – otherwise known as the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Aboriginal Corporation) has a footprint that spans the NT but also goes as far as Ceduna (SA), Kalgoorlie (WA) and Townsville... you can also stream CAAMA live, so check that also.

The entire ARMtour crew

A quick lunch and a group photo (as above) and we were in a our two-car-convey heading towards  Ltyentye Atapurte (apparently pronounced Ginger Porter) and otherwise known as Santa Teresa. In my vehicle was team leader Rebekah Torrens (Thelma), Louise (myself) and Cathy Buxton (Helen – named simply because for the first hour of our meeting I kept calling her Helen – I don’t know why, but it has stuck). I’ll introduce you to the ‘boys’ car’ - our fellow team mates (pictured below) – at tomorrow’s blog.

I’m grateful for warm welcomes: On arrival into the community our first stop the school, was greeted with smiles and high fives from the local kids. The students really love it when the ‘orange people’ come to town. I’m grateful for the relationship that NASCA has built up with our ARMtour partners (eight years in Papunya and six years in Ntaria) because it means our visits are something looked forward to and cherished by both the students and us volunteers.

I’m grateful for role model Cathy Buxton: As mentioned yesterday, this is my third tour, but it was my team mate Cathy’s first as a role model. Cathy is newly graduated primary teach (UWS, 2012) with a background in sport and fitness, with swimming as a major interest. Cathy is from a family of swimmers back in the UK. Cathy’s grateful today is “Meeting such amazing new people!” Which is what Cathy’s life has been about travelling as she does around the world. It’s her first trip to the Northern Territory though and working with indigenous youth on any level, but she already knows it won’t be the last as she’s looking for a meaningful career in teaching and inspiring young Australians. I’m certainly grateful Cathy’s on my team!

I’m grateful for energetic young people. As with many communities, young people are active in various sports and cultural activities, and Santa Teresa is no different. I even kicked the footy around a little on the local oval (AFL being the game of choice here) and then we all headed over to the local hall for some basketball and a chance to see the Desert Divas working with the young women of town to write and record their own music.

I went to sleep IN MY SLEEPING BAG (anyone who knows me will understand how out of my comfort zone I am with those sleeping arrangements) grateful for this country’s landscape, the goodwill of so many and the life I am so lucky to lead.

 Team Santa Teresa!

[Thank you to DEEWR who fully funds ARMtour as part of the Sporting Chance Program] 

Day One ARMtour – I’m grateful

I arrived in Arrernte country (the town of Alice Springs) today to meet up with the ‘Athletes as Role Models’ (ARMtour) crew. This is my third tour in the Northern Territory, coordinated by the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA). 

NASCA has been operating since 1995 and delivers a range of programs that have reached thousands of Aboriginal youth in communities across Australia through its ARMtours, Sporting Chance Academies and Career Aspirations programs. NASCA specialises in programs that encourage young Aboriginal students to stay in school, make positive lifestyle choices and consider the enormous amount of career options they can pursue.

I’m proud to be a Board Member of NASCA but also feel privileged to be able to be part of ARMtour with all the other volunteers who come from across the country and from a range of sporting, academic and community backgrounds and organisations.

As an ARMtour role model, our responsibility when visiting remote Aboriginal communities for the week is to deliver education, sports and healthy lifestyle activities. This tour I am heading to Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), which has a population of around 600 and was run by the church until 1976. 

The other communities visited include Yuelamu (formerly Mount Allan Station), Warumpi /Papunya and Ntaria (also known as Hermannsburg).

It’s going to be an inspiring week and along the way I’ll introduce you to my fellow/sista team members, but before we head out in the morning to our respective schools / communities, I just wanted to say that I am grateful for those who make these tours possible. 

Firstly, Patrick Johnson- once athlete, always Olympian, we (NASCA) are lucky to have him on board as our ARMtour coordinator. He demonstrates excellence in sport and in his every day work.

And of course the Role Models. I’m grateful for the passionate (mainly) young people who eagerly put their hands up and choose to give their time, expertise and enthusiasm to ARMtour sharing with Aboriginal kids who would most likely never get the chance to meet high achieving sportspeople and community members. The generosity of spirit is inspiring, heart warming and a reminder of the goodwill still evident in society.

 [Pic above is moi and rolemodel Tyrone Bean from Victoria]

[Thank you to DEEWR who fully funds ARMtour as part of the Sporting Chance Program] 

Geelong Rocks!

 

Local sista Sha who came along to Waurn Ponds librar\y!

I had no idea Geelong was so deadly! It wasn’t until I cruised there last Monday for a yarn with locals about identity, that I even realised it was coastal! Taking the wrong turn (I was apparently heading to the wrong destination altogether), I found myself on the stunning shorefront of the town an hour outside of Melbourne. Had I known that it was so gorgeous there I would’ve packed my bikini and stayed a few days. Alas, I only had a couple of hours to fall in love with Wauthaurong country, and I did.

This is just a short list of what I am grateful for following that visit:

WAURN PONDS LIBRARY: Yes, Waurn Ponds Library  is that funky building right next door to the fabulous LeisureLink Aquatic and Recreation Centre. There’s no signage because the space is so hip it doesn’t need it. Inside the venue it’s vibrant and friendly and aside from a wonderful collection of resources, it also hosts a series of events including the Open Mind Lecture Series, of which I was part. I will remain forever grateful to Maryanne Hyde (Manager Lifelong Learning) from Geelong Libraries Corporation, for the invitation to help celebrate the National Year of Reading and deliver a talk on Aboriginal identity in the 21^st century, the subject of my memoir Am I Black Enough For You? That invitation, extended over a quick chat at the ALIA Conference in Sydney last July, lead me to a place and a community who welcomed me immediately.

  

LOCALS: Now, Monday night in Waurn Ponds appeared to bring out the best locals as 70 ‘open-minded’ readers and thinkers came along to join in the conversation. I wanted to take them home with me – not literally – what I mean is I wanted to take them on thh road with me because as an audience they were warm, engaged, and they laughed in all the right places (and some other places too but that’s okay!). It’s the most fun I’ve had in a library and /or on a Monday night in the longest time. Who would’ve thought the place to be on a Monday night was Waurn Ponds library?

LOCAL KOORIS: It made me smile to see a large group of local Koories, Noongars from WA and two women from Gurindji country (NT) there to support, enjoy, and affirm my work on the Monday night. It’s great to see Indigenous reading audiences growing and participation in literary events on the rise. I remain grateful for so much local support (and from those who drove some distances to be there!). The photo above also shows the First Nations mob helped demonstrate the diversity of identity – and what Aboriginal people actually look like – by standing up during my presentation. The point being, we come in all different shapes and shades. Thanks you mob, you rock!

PATONS BOOKS: A shout-out of gratitude also to Patons Books who came along to sell my novels and memoir  on the night. I appreciate the support of all booksellers but also the work of independent booksellers many who support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation also.

I can't wait to get back to Geelong... if you've got a tip on where I should go and what I should see please let me know!