Ever since I was a little fella, I longed to go on big adventures, hikes, road trips and travels overseas. Exploring the world and the greatest parts of God’s creation. Growing up in the Blue Mountains on Darug country, I always had a deep connection with the mountains and bushlands. And a desire to explore and to know creation personally. Whenever stressed or unsettled in life, I found nature a place to retreat in, become refreshed and refocused. I also held a deep respect for our Indigenous Australian people, their culture and connection to the land. I admired their ways of hunting, their customs, story telling, art, music and celebrations. I always thought it’d be amazing to live and to learn within a community that still practises these daily, today.

We moved to the South Coast of NSW when I was 8 years old and I quickly developed a strong love for the ocean. I would walk along the Basin, fish in the Bay and always enjoyed catching some shories with my Dad. My brother introduced me to spearfishing and taught me the basics of free diving. There is nothing quite like the feeling of being in the deep blue abis, feeling totally free, with vibrant blue all around, as you dive down into the ocean below. I would push through the constant pull for breathe and pressure squeezing on my chest, which at times brought me feelings of claustrophobia. So that I could dive deeper, hold my breathe for longer, find the comfort and freedom in the push and ultimately hope to catch a huge fish. I loved these times of fishing with mates through my teenhood, seeking out our own adventures and knowing we could sustain ourselves with our catch.

When finishing school, I always had plans to explore Australia, the place I call home and venture into more remote, raw and ruthless parts of our country. What I had planned did not eventuate and ultimately, I felt I had to lay the dream down, not forever, but for now. In the laying down the dream I held, it allowed me to invest into many youth boys over the years, through my church, the way that so many had invested into me. Throughout this time I encountered Jesus grace and met God’s love for me as an intimate friend. I discovered more about myself, my creator and the world we live in. I also learnt how we are all creative and in my desire to help others reconnect with their creativity and find their purpose in life. I decided to pursue teaching. With the aim of hopefully being a part of a young persons journey, to find their purpose in life. The ability to be present in children’s live, show them stability, care for them and stay patient, even when they might test every fibre in your body, haha. Is such a privilege and a joy. And the perfect way to take me up to the top end of Australia.

“Do two years first”, around close friends and family, to develop your practise. That was my principal’s advice when I told her my plan to go up to the top end and work in a remote community, after finishing my studies. To me that made sense and I am so grateful for the training, support and community at Nowra East, across my 2 and a half years working there. And I’m grateful to have such a great support network and group of friends within the South Coast of NSW. It was a time of learning and reflecting on myself and this community. I am grateful for amazing mentors and also learning some of the local Aboriginal language and culture across the Yuin Nation.

At the start of 2024 I began my search for a school to work at in the top end of Australia. During this time I reconnected with an old childhood friend, through a house music concert (shout out Brook Street, haha). Who had done 2 and a half years on Elcho Island and I got to hear some of the beautiful, yet challenging stories of life in a remote community. Later that year I had an interview, then a visit and had committed to move up and began teaching with a group of young men in year 4-10, the following year.

This brings me to now, one month since leaving friends, family, my community and the comfort of the land that was so guiding, freeing and shaping throughout my childhood and adolesence. I am excited for what this season has to offer, the lessons that Jesus is leading me through and the amazing people that have adopted me into their family in love, to live and do life alongside.

The purpose of this blog, is for me to process my thoughts and experiences of life in a remote Aboriginal community, who is Jesus centred, wants their young people to learn the ‘right way to live’ and desires for them to stay deeply connected with and practising their Yolngu culture daily within the 21st century world. It is also a reflection for me on where I am at in my life, my place in this world and what I feel I have to offer. It will not be polished, it will be raw and there will be many moments along the way where I will not do this incredible and complex culture justice. So please come with grace and I hope you enjoy my reflections as I go on a year of learning a completely different culture and way of life.

A quote on the life of a teacher… “Your story is important because you bring who you are to your classroom. Your testimony, revelations and even your brokenness can influence and flavour the way you teach and interact with students”.

Djutj djutj nha (goodbye/see you later).