B6-Trip 2021

Love + Joy + Happiness = B6 

On the first Sunday of the mid-year holidays, 20 Year 10 students made their way up to Murgon, a town just 350km to the Northwest of the Gold Coast. It was the sixth time a group from Somerset had visited the region on what are known as B Trips. We were all very eager to embrace the experiences that this trip could bring and were very excited to experience the next five days. Meetings and information booklets, informed us about what to expect, however nothing could prepare us for the emotional rollercoaster and life changing week we were about to endure.

Local Elders greeted us on arrival into Murgon with a Welcome to Country, and a Smoking Ceremony which is a cleansing ritual that is customary when welcoming people onto Wakka Wakka Country. Principal Aaron then gave us a quick tour of his school where we were going to spend a week of outreach and service.

Everyone went to sleep that night excited about what was to follow - the first day we would be working alongside the kids at Murgon State School. To say we weren’t let down is a massive understatement. The children at the school were very welcoming and friendly, and wanted to get to know us and be our friends immediately. In fact, many asked about how their friends who visited last year and the year before were going. Our first day at primary school was certainly one to be remembered – making new friends, meeting new teachers, new routines, trying to establish ourselves on the footy field. Any nerves we had were quickly gone by recess. 

Each day at school started with games in ‘The Shed’ until the morning assembly, when we would chant the Murgon Motto that none of us will ever forget - ‘Be Respectful, Be Safe, Be a Learner’. Once dismissed, we’d go to our respective classes and participate in our daily activities. Our days consisted of reading and writing, meeting Prep buddies, some Physical Education, Math, languages, science – you name it, we did it……all the time strengthening the relationship with our new-found friends. The free time we had at breaks often saw us continue the relationship building but this time on the footy field, on the basketball courts or over a book in the library. Then after the final bell each day, we would all meet out the front of the school and bid our friends goodbye before heading off to our own afternoon activities. These activities allowed us to build empathy with indigenous culture. One such activity included a visit to The Ration Shed in Cherbourg formally known as Barambah where our trip gets it’s name. 

We will never forget the memories this trip has brought us, and we extend our greatest appreciation to Mr and Mrs Walker, who make this trip possible for Year 10 students each year, and to Ms Easther, who assisted significantly in making this trip as smooth as it was this year. Long may the B Trips continue – we know how important they are.