End of year celebrations in two tiny towns

It is great fun to be able to join with small schools and their communities to celebrate the end of the year and the Christmas story.

Last Friday I was able to join with Enngonia school in the morning for their concert and prize giving. Melissa the Principal is a wonderful dance teacher and the concert had lots of fantastic dance by everyone from pre-school up. Many of the stories had an Aboriginal theme and other were based on favourite books.

The dance of the Brolgas

Santa arrived in fire engine

After the dances and presentations it was lunch in the courtyard with the Salvation Army band playing Christmas carols.

On leaving Enngonia I travelled across the back roads to get to Weilmoringle and was really struck by the patchiness of what rain there had been. Enngonia has had good rain and there were large puddles along the road while there has been almost none in Weilmoringle and it is bare dirt. It was a reminder that even though we hear about good rain falling, often there are patches that miss out.

Lush green growth at Enngonia

Bare dirt around Weilmoringle only 100km away

The evening event in Weilmoringle started with a BBQ, followed by a concert and school prizes. It was a great fun night with lots of laughter and good fellowship. One of the fun parts of the evening was a new initiative by the Walgett police to engage the kids (more about this another week).

Three bears from Golidlock's story

Before setting off the home the next morning I had breakfast with some of the Aboriginal Elders and had good discussions around activities in the village.

It really is a great privilege to be able to join with these communities in their times of fun and celebration.