Djarindjin-Lombardina Cultural Exchange Tour

On their second weekend, many students watched the AFL Grand Final, whilst others enjoyed a boat ride up the river to do some fishing. Someone should have informed them that they needed bait to catch fish! The school community, as in past years, was most welcoming and supportive of our stay and farewelled us with an entertaining School Assembly. A real treat for the home-stay students was joining us for our last meal where there was a great variety of food. We concluded our stay in Port Moresby with a tour of the National Parliament, the Botanical Gardens, the War Memorial and Owen’s Corner — the end of the Kokoda Trail — and walking through the village of Hanuabada that is sited on the water. The day was completed with a great night and an excellent meal at the Yacht Club. The next day we visited another De La Salle school as well as an indoor and an outdoor market. I have no doubt that the experience has enriched the life of each and every person who participated in this program. There are so many wonderful moments that I hope the group members will share with other people.

Mr Richard Komiazyk Social Services Coordinator

Djarindjin-Lombadina Cultural Exchange Tour

In August this year, De La Salle College and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh, were given the opportunity to take part in a cultural exchange with Christ the King, a Catholic school in DjarindjinLombadina. Djarindjin-Lombadina is 190 kilometres north of Broome in the Kimberley Region of W.A. Year 9 students James Rate, Matt Taylor, Nick Rodway, Damien Tyrer with Mr Evans, accompanied students from OLSH on a trip to discover more about indigenous culture. We spent nine days in the region, taking part in the day-to-day activities of the people who live there. Memorable experiences were had, including a three-hour road trip in the back of a “troopie” along a red dirt road, treated to wonderful hospitality and presentation of a traditional spear, culminating with dinner and campfire on the isolated Lombadina beach. Other highlights included going swimming and mudcrabbing with the school’s senior class, attending school with the local kids, playing in the after-school basketball competition, (and getting thrashed!) visiting Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge, and getting to know all of the people there, and experience their lifestyle. An obvious highlight for De La boys was to spend nine days with the opposite gender because — let’s be honest — a chance like that doesn’t come around often! Many ties were made and friendships forged during this period. We must give a big thankyou to Mr Evans for putting up with us for nine days. We also thank past staff member Paul Munday and his wife Catherine (both teachers at Christ the King) for organising the whole trip. It was an experience we will never forget.