Inspire and empower Indigenous youth in Australia

Dear Supporter,

On Sunday 22nd September, Desert2Surf when back to Beswick Falls, Australia for the Stand Up Paddling and Leadership trip. On this trip Adam Bostock and Michael Fuller took on leadership roles and facilitated a stand up paddling trip to Beswick Falls, a remote and very beautiful billabong with waterfalls, near the Wugulaar Community in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Being able to provide Adam and Michael with the opportunity to lead the two younger trip participants was a fantastic achievement for Desert2Surf. The older boys coached the younger children in stand up paddling, swimming and general water safety.

Prior to this trip and as mentioned in previous reports, Adam had already been a Desert2Surf leader but this was Michael’s first time. He did a great job and demonstrated a sound level of maturity and competence for the task. Desert2Surf can now look forward to both Adam and Michael leading future surfing trips to Victoria.

The stand up paddling built the younger children’s self confidence, self esteem and self belief and both expressed a desire to fulfil any Desert2Surf requirements in order to participate in future trips. One requirement is regular school attendance and commitment to their education generally. The positive role modelling by Adam and Michael has immeasurable short and long benefits for the younger children.

Thank you for your support for this project and helping us to promote physical and mental health and general welfare of young indigenous people living in isolated and disadvantaged communities

Many thanks

Deb Oliver

Administration and Advocacy

Links:

• http://www.gvi.org

Dear supporter,

I hope this report finds you well. In this report, I wanted to share with you how recent donations have been used to cover the cost of a range of activities, including a visit to Greening Australia’s Geelong office and grassland location, organised for the two remote, indigenous boys during the trip.

Greening Australia tackles critical issues like salinity, declining water quality, soil degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss through an innovative blend of practical experience, science and community engagement. They are dedicated to protecting Australia's heritage, its biodiversity and natural resources, putting back in a way that allows all Australians to be part of the climate change solution.

The (new) Greening Australia component of Trip South 2013 also had a fabulous impact not only on the boys but also on Desert2Surf. For Desert2Surf it forged a new relationship with the Limeburners Links project which promises to be rewarding and supportive into the future. It gave the boys the opportunity for meaningful communication in a hands-on setting where skills and stories were able to be shared. Giving the boys an opportunity to participate in a mainstream environmental project will hopefully have an enormous impact on the work they do in their Community.

Thank you, as always, for your continuing support for this project.

All the best

Sophie Birkett

Charitable Trust manager

Links:

• http://www.gvi.org