During the July school holidays, students from Years 10 and 11 experienced the 6 night Red Dirt Immersion in partnership with St Pius X College, Chatswood. As a key component of their Aboriginal Studies course, the immersion provided students with the opportunity to engage directly with First Nations communities and deepen their understanding of Country, culture and community through authentic, lived experiences.

Exploring Gamilaraay Country

The group spent much of the week based in Coonabarabran on Gamilaraay Country, where students explored the cultural, environmental and historical significance of the region.

Highlights included:

• Attending Sunday Mass at St Lawrence’s Catholic Parish.
• Walking the Breadknife and Grand High Tops in Warrumbungle National Park.
• Completing the Sculptures in the Scrub walk in the Pilliga, learning how art, storytelling and Country are deeply connected.
• Visiting the Sandstone Caves, where Elders shared knowledge of bush medicines, traditional tools and cultural histories.
• Participating in a Smoking Ceremony led by the Local Aboriginal Lands Council.
• Touring Siding Spring Observatory, where students learned about astronomy, the night sky and the observatory’s important place in the region.
• Visiting Burra Bee Dee Mission, where students heard stories of truth-telling, historical injustices and the ongoing impacts these experiences continue to have on families and communities.

These experiences encouraged students to listen, reflect and learn from the perspectives and stories shared by community members.

Connecting with Local Schools

A significant part of the immersion involved visiting local schools and witnessing how culture and Country are embedded within everyday learning.

St John’s Baradine Catholic School
Students assisted in classrooms and joined Baradine students on a visit to the local nursing home, where they sang for residents and contributed to a meaningful community experience.

Coonabarabran Public School
During the school’s NAIDOC celebrations, students took part in cultural activities including boomerang throwing, yarning circles and presentations by students who shared their culture through song, dance and storytelling.

Coonabarabran High School
Students toured the campus and learned about the wide range of educational opportunities available to local students. A particular highlight was visiting the agriculture program, where they gained an insight into how farming and animal care form part of the school’s curriculum.

Learning on Wiradjuri Country

The immersion continued in Dubbo on Wiradjuri Country, where students were invited to participate in a special ceremony in the forest alongside local community members and Elders. This unique experience provided a valuable opportunity to learn directly from knowledge holders and further develop an appreciation for the significance of Country, culture and connection.

A Final Morning of Reflection

Before beginning the journey home, students spent a peaceful morning fishing on the banks of the Macquarie River. The quiet setting provided an opportunity to reflect on the people they had met, the stories they had heard and the lessons they would carry forward from the week.

A Journey of Respect, Understanding and Connection

Throughout the immersion, students demonstrated curiosity, respect and a genuine willingness to learn. By engaging with communities across Gamilaraay and Wiradjuri Country, they developed a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and perspectives.

The Red Dirt Immersion continues to be a powerful learning experience, enriching students’ Aboriginal Studies education and fostering meaningful connections that will remain with them long into the future.