Funding received from Clubs SA supported teams from the Craigmore High School and the Mark Oliphant College to participate on the Operation Flinders program in Exercise 1 in May. The exercise took place on Yankaninna station in the northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. Eighteen young people participated in the trek, which is an adventure-therapy program that creates opportunities for young people, who are facing challenges in their lives and communities, with a unique experience that provides personal development opportunities and pathways to wellbeing and life success. During the exercise conducted on Yankaninna station, participants trekked approximately 80 kilometres in wilderness terrain, slept in makeshift shelters, participated in abseiling,
learnt about Indigenous culture, bush survival, and engaged in a range of outdoor activities all designed to build personal skills such as resilience, self-esteem, responsibility, leadership, teamwork, motivation, and ambition. Operation Flinders will also offer ongoing follow-up support to help participants grow as valued members of their communities. Participants received training in navigation, basic survival skills and bushcraft. They learnt to cook over an open fire, engaged in team-building activities, and performed other duties necessary for the trip’s success. Each participant learned about trust and faced their fears when they undertook the abseil and high ropes course, under the instruction of experienced Operation
44 | CLUBLINK • DECEMBER 2023
