Project Report
| Aug 15, 2011
Stand and Lead Project
By Ross Deans | GVI Charitable Trust Manager
![Director of Programs Robbo shows off to a croc!]()
Director of Programs Robbo shows off to a croc!
Our partner in Australia, Desert 2 Surf, recently completed the first part of the Stand and Lead (SAL) project.
As project director Deb Oliver explains: 'The aim of the SAL project was for Desert2Surf to skill up youth leaders from the Beswick Community in stand up paddling with a view to them being able to coach younger kids and develop an ongoing recreational program of SUPPING in their community. The skill transfer from SUPPING to surfing would also set up the leaders to hit the waves with D2S later in the year and reward them for their commitment to the SAL Project in their Community.
The youth leaders involved took to the SUPPING flawlessly and on the second day of the project did indeed demonstrate their leadership abilities by passing on the skill to younger members of the Community.'
Part two of the SAL Project will see the youth leaders travel south in the summer for surfing and cultural exchange on Victoria's west coast.
Talks are already taking place to discuss how this initiative can be taken into more remote communities as the benefits are clear to see. Thank you so much to everyone how has donated to this project helping to make this happen.
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Jul 18, 2011
Success at the Koori Surfing Titles!
By Ross Deans | GVI Charitable Trust Manager
With support from this project our local partner, Desrt2surf, took part in Woorrangalook, the Koori Surfing Titles at Urquarts Bluff on Victoria's West Coast.
Sixteen year old Peter Farell, from the remote indigenous community of Beswick, took part in the under 18 section of the competition and won the visitor's category with three great rides.
Peter had never surfed before and competed in the event after just three lessons in the days leading up to the competition, absolutely amazing. This goes to show the difference a project like this can make.
Click the link to watch Peter catching a wave!
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May 16, 2011
Details of new leadership project
By Ross Deans | GVI Charitable Trust Manager
Due to the incredible support this project has seen our local partners in Australia have been able to widen their horizons and look at new and exciting ways to engage and benefit Indigenous youth in Australia. One of the main aims of the project is to build leadership skills in the kids with whom we work, so the focus of this new initiative is leadership.
In July 2011 a leadership camp will be run at Edith falls (just out of Katherine in the northern territory) the indigenous children will be from two remote communities in the roper gulf shire (Ngukurr and Numbulwar). The kids will travel into Edith falls and receive two days of instruction which will include water safety, first aid and the skills of stand up paddling an inland alternative to surfing. We will all camp at Edith falls, having access to one of the most beautiful waterholes in the NT - which, by the way, we'll be sharing with freshwater crocs!
By camp's end, the new leaders will be competent stand up paddlers and ready to instruct younger kids back in their communities in stand up paddling. Our partner Desert 2 Surf is working on getting stand up paddle boards permanently located into both communities, at the moment we have one permanently located in Katherine which is shared around the communities.
This is a very exciting step and we look forward to sharing news of its progress, thank you to everyone who has supported this project!
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