Last week 24 yr 5 students and 4 teachers from Mosman Preparatory Boys School travelled to Weilmoringle for what is to become an annual visit. It was the first meeting of the two schools, although regular readers of the blog will know that Mosman has been supporting the children of the village by sending out new books for each child 4 times/year so there was already a relationship between them.
And what a week we had! The Mosman boys came with a delightful attitude of wanting to learn lots about Weilmoringle and the culture of the people, and the Weil kids were just thrilled to have some others come to "their place".And of course I got the best buzz from seeing it come together!!!!!!!!!
Each morning Josie and I took any boys who wanted to come on a bush walk to see the wildlife. For many of these boys they've done extensive travel overseas but not in Aust. My favourite quote of the week was a question from one of the boys who found a sheep skull in the bush and asked if he could take it home. When I said he could but would need to pack it carefully in his bag his response was, "but will I get it through Customs!"
Highlights of the week:
News on Day 1 - Mosman kids talked about a weekend of sport, going to the beach, running in the City to Surf etc. Weilmoringle kids talked about going pig hunting, spending time and driving around in cars and on bikes.
Booglie Fishing - the local name for yabbie is boogalie. Mucking around on the bamks of the river with string and bits of emu trying to catch boogalies proved to be a great winner. And of course having a taste afterwards.
Giving out the books - each Mosman boy had a book to give a local child and had prepared by learning about the book. When the books were given out the buzz in the room was amazing as the kids got together and read to each other and explored the new stories.
Going into the bush with Fred looking at the scar trees - we saw a tree that had a canoe cut out it, a small tree where a coolmon had been cut, a mia mia that Josie and her sisters had built to show the traditional living arrangments and then Fred demonstrated how to make a coolamon.
Sitting on the banks of the waterhole, which is a sacred site for the local tribe, and listening to Josie tell the story of the Mundagutta (Rainbow Serpent).
Looking through the Weilmoringle Station 32 stand shearing shed.
Looking at ancient camp sites with Fred
Each morning Josie and I took any boys who wanted to come on a bush walk to see the wildlife. For many of these boys they've done extensive travel overseas but not in Aust. My favourite quote of the week was a question from one of the boys who found a sheep skull in the bush and asked if he could take it home. When I said he could but would need to pack it carefully in his bag his response was, "but will I get it through Customs!"
Highlights of the week:
Booglie Fishing - the local name for yabbie is boogalie. Mucking around on the bamks of the river with string and bits of emu trying to catch boogalies proved to be a great winner. And of course having a taste afterwards.
Giving out the books - each Mosman boy had a book to give a local child and had prepared by learning about the book. When the books were given out the buzz in the room was amazing as the kids got together and read to each other and explored the new stories.
Going into the bush with Fred looking at the scar trees - we saw a tree that had a canoe cut out it, a small tree where a coolmon had been cut, a mia mia that Josie and her sisters had built to show the traditional living arrangments and then Fred demonstrated how to make a coolamon.
Sitting on the banks of the waterhole, which is a sacred site for the local tribe, and listening to Josie tell the story of the Mundagutta (Rainbow Serpent).
Looking through the Weilmoringle Station 32 stand shearing shed.
Looking at ancient camp sites with Fred
And much more including a traditional cook-out with emu in a pit and johnny cakes and listening to stories from people of the stolen generation.
What made it work so well - there was a great spirit of generosity on both sides with neither feeling superior but rather wanting to share and learn from one another. Some great relationships have been formed and Mosman is already planning to host Weilmoringle in Syd. And the wonderful contribution form the local elders made it a very special time!
You can find more photos of the visit here
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