During the Winter school break, Year 11 CBHS Aboriginal Studies students accompanied by three staff members, joined St Pius X College for a transformative six-day Red Dirt Immersion—a cultural, spiritual, and educational journey through north-western NSW.

The journey began via Singleton and Merriwa, with students setting up camp in Coonabarabran on Day 1. From the outset, the importance of teamwork and collective purpose set the tone for the immersion. Engaging with Elders, local land councils, and community organisations in Baradine and Coonabarabran, students were able to bring their classroom learning to life. They visited culturally significant sites including the sacred Sandstone Caves in the Pilliga, The Warrumbungles, Dandry Gorge Sculptures in the Scrub, and explored the Sky River Walk and the Observatory. Throughout the week, students practiced cultural protocols, listened to personal stories of lived experiences, and deepened their understanding of Aboriginal people’s unbreakable connection to Country.

In Dubbo, students led a traditional smoking ceremony, participated in cultural dance, and were blessed with sacred ochre in a ceremonial circle at Beni State Forest—facilitated by Uncle Doug Gordon and Wade Smith. A collaborative canvas artwork captured the handprints of all participants, and students crafted fishing lines ahead of a morning spent on the Dubbo River. Evenings were filled with fire-side reflections, storytelling and reconciliation-focused journaling, bringing both school communities together in dialogue and unity.

We commend the students who took part for their maturity, respect, and engagement. Their experience was a powerful reminder of this year’s NAIDOC theme: “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.” This unforgettable journey will remain with them, inspiring their continued commitment to reconciliation.

CBHS Lewisham gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL through the ClubGRANTS scheme, which made this life-changing experience possible for the third consecutive year.

Click here for more information on the CBHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program.