Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 32

NEWS
A GREAT WEEK OF TIWI
CULTURE AND HOSPITALITY
A week of adventure for 13 Year 11 boys and three staff
The moment our group of 13 Year 11
boys and three staff stepped into two small
Cessna aircraft outside the charter hangar at
Darwin Airport, it was clear that the adventure
had begun. The welcome 34 degrees and
relatively light humidity was a pleasant change
after leaving Melbourne’s wintry weather. It
was the beginning of the 2019 Scotch Tiwi
College trip (15-20 September).
After a short flight through the annual
burn-off smoke haze and over the azure
waters of the Arafura Sea, we arrived on the
red-earth airstrip at Pickataramoor, better
known as ‘Picka’. The unique ‘Picka Family’
is very inclusive and all students and staff
at Tiwi College and its visitors are part of it.
As always, we were warmly welcomed by
College staff, Mr Jack McGrath, Mr Lenny
Puruntatameri and Mr Tim Vea, and we
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Great Scot Issue 158 – December 2019
were instantly made to feel very much part
of the family. We were very excited to have
arrived, and the warmth and hospitality that
we received was second to none.
Settling in for the week ahead, boys and
staff coped well with adapting to the heat, the
strength of the sun and the need to consume
much more water than back in Melbourne.
Minds were open from the minute we arrived,
and the instant immersion into Tiwi culture
alongside the experiences encountered,
although only 3000km away but in many ways
worlds apart, was a reminder of the privilege it
was to be there and the amazing opportunity
it was to be included.
We were thoroughly spoilt by the college
‘Hospo’ staff, Aliti and Liti, who supplied
beautifully prepared meals, the perfect way
to keep Year 11 boys happy! The highlight,
though, was that it was Culture Week at Tiwi
College. Groups of Tiwi and Scotch boys
engaged in cultural activities, learning from
the elders in the classroom through to fishing
at Jessie River and mud musselling at the
mouth of Air Force Creek.
The visit to the museum at Wurrumiyanga,
on Bathurst Island, and meeting the 2017
Senior Australian of the Year, Sister Anne
Gardiner, in her 66th year of service to the
Northern Territory, including more than 50
years’ service to the Bathurst Island Catholic
Mission (and museum), was memorable.
The week culminated on Thursday night
with a community dinner at the college.
After a feast of Tiwi food, much of it freshly
sourced directly from country, and dancing
around the bonfire, all were moved by listening
to Mr Marius Puruntatameri, prominent elder,
culture man and founder of the Tiwi
Education Board.
After a wonderful week on Melville Island,
it was back to the icy blast of Melbourne.
On behalf of Ms Katherine Cameron, Mr
Tom Hawkins and the boys, thanks to Mr
Stuart Ward, Principal of Tiwi College and
his team. We look forward to reciprocating
in Reconciliation Week next year with Tiwi
College’s annual visit to Scotch.
TONY GLOVER – TIWI COLLEGE/SCOTCH
COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP