While we anticipated the physical distance and the simplicity of camping under the stars, we did not fully realise just how profoundly this experience would shape our worldviews and enrich our understanding of community, history, and self.
This was far more than a conventional school camp; it was an exercise in Humanity in Global-Mindedness. Divided into four separate groups, we ventured out to distinct traditional homelands surrounding Hope Vale in Far North Queensland, stepping onto the sacred lands of the Guugu Yimithirr Nation. Historically composed of 30 family or clan groups, the nation today embraces thirteen remaining clan groups. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly invited to camp on Country. We were not merely passive observers looking in from the outside; we were active participants, experiencing the rhythm of the land and the environment around us.
The heart of this immersion lay in the incredible privilege of sitting down with the Traditional Owners. We spent days learning directly from them, deeply moved by the generosity with which they shared their sacred knowledge. Through a variety of cultural workshops, our Curiosity was sparked. Traditional Owners guided us across their homelands, revealing the incredible utility of endemic flora used for bush medicine, including leaves that function as natural soap and powerful antiseptics for wounds. Our learning journey expanded across multiple facets of local culture:
- Language and Art: We learned local Guugu Yimidhirr words and discovered the deep cultural narratives and meanings intricately woven into traditional artwork.
- Yarning Circles: Every evening, we gathered around the warmth of the campfire, listening to personal stories and navigating the rich, complex history of the First Nations people of this region.
- Living on Country: Through fishing, swimming in pristine waterfalls, and observing daily life, we witnessed the profound, unbreakable connection the people hold with their land.
Another unforgettable highlight was an extraordinary day spent exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Transcending the typical tourist itinerary, we were joined by Aboriginal Guides who shared their unique, generational knowledge of Sea Country. They taught us to view the reef through an invaluable cultural lens, shifting our perspective entirely.
Living simply, sleeping beneath the vast northern sky, and absorbing the wisdom of the Elders allowed us to cultivate true Respect in Sisterhood and community. We did not just forge lifelong memories; we gained an entirely new perspective on what it means to listen deeply to multiple voices.
This immersion has left the Year 9 cohort incredibly curious to continue our learning journey back at school and beyond. Empowered by the challenges we embraced, we return to Kambala ready to demonstrate Courage in Thought Leadership. We are prepared to stand “All In,” utilising our voices to communicate with impact and acting as true, dedicated allies to First Nations people.
To the Traditional Owners who welcomed us so gracefully, the dedicated Red Earth team, and the staff members who facilitated this journey, we extend our deepest gratitude. Cape York is a piece of Australia, and a lesson in humanity, that we will carry with us forever.
Savanna D and Leyla S
Year 9
The Prep Work and Proudness
An immersion of this magnitude does not simply begin at the airport gates; rather, it is the culmination of deliberate, long-term pastoral preparation designed to foster deep Curiosity and Humanity in Global-Mindedness. A massive thank you must go to Ms Paige Zavaglia for curating such a rich, intentional pastoral program in the lead-up to this trip, ensuring our girls were both emotionally and intellectually equipped for the profound experiences ahead. Our Year 9 students began preparing for this journey way back in Term 4 of last year, laying the groundwork required to engage authentically with First Nations communities.
At the commencement of this year, our Pastoral Care sessions turned their focus toward the theme of “What Makes Us Strong.” Students completed the VIA Character Strengths assessment, a reflective exercise that allowed each girl to identify her unique personal attributes. This self-knowledge empowered them to understand exactly what strengths, whether leadership, perspective, perseverance, or kindness, they could bring to support themselves, their peers, and the homelands they visited.
Following this, the cohort engaged in five targeted preparation sessions:
- ‘The What & The Why’ and ‘The Who & The Where’: Establishing the geographical, historical, and purposeful context of the region.
- Logistics Briefing: A practical session facilitated by the Red Earth staff to prepare for living simply on Country.
- ‘Serving Reciprocally’ and ‘Cultural Protocols’: Unpacking what it means to enter another’s homeland with deep Respect, learning to listen to multiple perspectives with an open heart.
As Head of Year, I could not be prouder of how our girls engaged throughout this entire process. They stepped into the challenges of the immersion with immense Courage, embodying the very best of Kambala’s values. Our ultimate hope is that this experience catalyses lasting dispositional learning. The journey does not end with their return; rather, we look forward to seeing how these lessons enrich their personal reflections and, more importantly, how they bring this newfound perspective back to uplift our school community. By practicing Curiosity in Self-Authorship and Courage in Thought Leadership, these students are now uniquely equipped to use their voices to communicate with impact, serving as true allies and leaders.
Jessica Galpin
Head of Year 9