By Sophie Birkett | Head of Operations
Dear Supporter,
On this Desert2Surf trip two seventeen year old girls from the remote Northern Territory town of Katherine, travelled south to Victoria to go surfing and engage in cultural exchange activities.
May, mother of Naomi and aunt of Kyana, chaperoned the girls for the duration of the trip. May is a respected and exemplary member of the Katherine community. May and her husband Norm, model excellent family and community values. Desert2Surf was privileged to have May participate in the trip. Not only did she provide very positive feedback on the trip’s organisation and objectives, she also acculturated Desert2Surf members vis a vis many aspects of the indigenous way of life.
The surfing built the participants’ self-confidence, self-esteem and self-belief and both girls expressed a desire to fulfil any Desert2Surf requirements in order to participate in future trips as leaders. These requirements include regular school attendance, a commitment to their education generally and a commitment to making healthy life choices.
Partnering with the Australian swimwear brand, Neontide, for one day of this trip provided outstanding opportunities for the girls to engage in further activities that promoted both their physical and mental health. The activities included yoga and a life class where life goals were explored in a fun and appropriately ‘hands on’ manner.
The trip also enabled May to connect with two Victorian artists (glass artist Rob Hayley and screen printer Nick Morris) both of whom generously shared their techniques and business advice with her. Desert2Surf also facilitated May meeting with the Victorian Women’s Trust and the Koori Women Mean Business group. Attending these meetings meant that May was able to establish a strong support network to assist with her proposed business venture in the Northern Territory which aims to provide creative employment pathways for indigenous youth in Katherine.
Thank you for supporting this program.
All the best
Desert2surf
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