DAY 2

Finally an update on the immersion blog, and you are on so many pictures!!!!

Day 1 – Thursday 19th July

Today we got on the plane for a three hour flight to Cairns. We got off the plane and drove to the Daintree Rainforest where we saw some crocodiles and ha an ecological tour of the river and rainforest. We learnt how the crocodiles live in their habitat and interact with the ecosystem. We then went to Woolworths to buy some food for ourselves, and to regroup for the trip. We then had a three hour trip in our 4WD bus to Bana Homeland. We met Traditional Owners Marilyn and Peter there who welcomed us on their land, and after dinner Marilyn told us many stories of how she ended up living where she does. Many questions were asked and she answered all of them. We then sat by the fire and eventually went to sleep.

By Lachlan and Cooper Corban

 Day 2 – Friday 20th July

We woke up to a frosty morning, ready for a day of work ahead. We were energised by some delicious pancakes and were briefed on a day of work. We were separated into 4 different project groups – gardening, fencing, dirt moving and cement pouring. In the gardening project, we helped clear out a pathway so that the gardens will be accessible. We also went down to the river and collected mulch for the garden beds for which they would grow self-sustaining plants to help feed those living on the homeland. In the fencing project, we dug one metre holes in tough conditions. This was so that they can have straight strainer posts (fencing), and so that it will be easier to keep stray animals from getting into the homeland. In the dirt moving project, the boys were moving soil to make way for a concrete slab which would be used to establish an outdoor kitchen. Finally in the cement pouring project, the boys laid down reinforcement bars for the concrete to be poured onto to set the foundations. They also had the gruelling task of levelling out all the concrete, but did a fantastic job! Overall, what we really took out of today was that Bana homeland are extremely proud of their rich diverse culture and that we can learn from them and they can learn from us.

By Patrick Hoggett and Joshua Cornelius