Inspire and empower Indigenous youth in Australia

Dear Supporter, 

The approaching trip, Trip South 2015, involves two fourteen-year-old girls and a nineteen-year-old woman from remote, indigenous communities in the Northern Territory travelling to Victoria to surf and to engage in cultural exchange activities.

The two younger girls, Jessica and Abie, were selected for Trip South 2015 based on the following criteria:

• They demonstrated enthusiasm and initiative when they participated in stand up paddling sessions with Desert2Surf at Copperfield Dam earlier this year.
• Due to geographical isolation they are seriously disadvantaged in terms of access to and availability of recreational and sporting opportunities. Jessica lives at Gorge Camp which is located 30km east of Katherine, which is itself a small and isolated town in the Northern Territory. Her cousin Abie lives in Elliott which is significantly more isolated than Gorge Camp lying 536km south of Katherine.
• The girls are excellent students whose school attendance is impeccable and who try their very best with all their school work.

Part of the Trip South 2015 planning is that Jessica’s sister/Abie’s cousin, Wyonna, will lead the trip. Wyonna is an exemplary Gorge Community member and a wonderful role model for the younger girls. Wyonna has participated in several Desert2Surf trips, in the Northern Territory, previously.

Having finished high school in Katherine two years ago she has been employed by the Nitmiluk National Park – Parks and Wildlife Commission NT as a tour guide in the dry season. She is fully committed to her job brings great pride to her family/community. She has admirable career aspirations and Desert2Surf hopes that the opportunity to lead Trip South 2015 will shore up both her personal and career goals.

We are really looking forward to this trip, scheduled to start on 22 November, and look forward to showing Jessica, Abie and Wyonna Melbourne and Anglesea where they will be surfing, participating in school visits, sightseeing and cultural exchanges. Things that most youth take for granted. 

Thanks for your donations, which make live changing trips like this possible!

With Gratitude, 

Deb, Desert2Surf

Links:

• The Charitable Trust
• Desert2Surf