Deep learning in a different world

The views over the Kimberley region from the plane window showed a landscape I’d only ever seen in my grandparents’ photographs. The sheer vastness of the endless red dust was amplified as we got into the ‘troopies’ to begin the four-hour journey from Broome to Yiramalay.

Arriving on campus felt alien. The silence of the place was only interrupted by blasts of music coming from the decks of the dorm rooms. As we were introduced to everyone, I was nervous about how the experience would play out. It was such a different environment to what we were used to.

In the second week, we visited a school in a remote community. It was in the middle of nowhere with only a few houses around and just one shop. This opened my eyes to the challenges faced by people living in rural areas. The limited job opportunities highlighted the disparities between city and country life.

A profound experience occurred at Windjana Gorge. We’d been fishing in the gorge all day in the hot sun, talking and getting to know each other. As dusk started to fall, the Indigenous kids felt a cold breeze and heard a faint whistle. They got up and went back to camp immediately, as if guided by a spiritual presence. It showed us the deep connection the Bunuba people have with their land, and the significance of spiritual belief in their lives. Later, we found out the Windjana spirit, who they believed was present in the region, had told them to leave.

The graduation ceremony provided a beautiful and celebratory conclusion to my time at Yiramalay. Before the ceremony, we were given face and body paint to apply; the boys had red or white stripes applied to our faces, while the girls were adorned with red and white spots. We gathered outside the dining hall on the grass and performed traditional dances the Indigenous kids had taught us. As the day ended, I felt the impact of this experience wash over me… the shared joy and unity of coming together as a community, the music mixed with the sound of people’s feet hitting the ground, overwhelming our senses.

Throughout this experience, I maintained an open mind and respected the Bunuba people’s beliefs and traditions. I learned to appreciate their profound connection to the land and their deep-rooted spiritual practices. It was evident that their culture is intricately woven into every aspect of their lives.