My educational and lucky experience in Gove - 10/05/10

Josh Levy writes:

Lucky…this would be the word that best describes my experience in Gove (Nhulumbuy), closely followed by educational. To be given the opportunity to take Schools First to such an amazing place makes me feel very lucky, and then to have met the people I met and heard their stories and their ways of working, was extremely educational.

A very early flight out of Darwin turned out to be a blessing in a tired disguise, because as you fly slightly north east towards Gove you have the most amazing views of the sunrise out the plane window as well as some of northern Australia’s most stunning landscapes – a truly magical entrance to a truly unique place.

Nhulumbuy Primary School were our gracious hosts for the afternoon and as there is really only one flight in to Gove each day, I had the whole day to spend at the school meeting some key teachers and getting a feel for the place.

My time with Jenni Webber was invaluable. She has taught all over the Territory and some of her experiences and learnings while working and engaging with local indigenous cultures was very insightful. I was also lucky enough to meet with Sina Higgins from Anglicare NT East Arnhem, prior to the forum, who gave me great insight into what it was like to live and work in Gove after being raised in country Victoria, and what it’s like actively trying to make a difference every day for the young people she and her team work with. Even she described it like sometimes feeling she was “in another country.”

The forum itself was intimate and meaningful. The representation was predominantly from schools in the area, so this facilitated some deep thought about the types of partnerships they could enact at the local level and encouraged them to think more deeply about the work they are already doing. A very engaged and interested audience who truly appreciated the fact that Schools First had travelled to their corner of the country to spread the word.

It must be noted that Nhulumbuy Primary School is the first school I have visited anywhere in Australia that has outdoor ceiling fans. It must get really hot up there?!

I cannot wait to return to Gove for further exploration; it has been a long time since I have felt so welcomed and comfortable in a totally foreign community.