2017
END OF YEAR TRIP
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At the end of this year the QUT Big Lift team was once again able to depart for our annual End of Year Trip, which is our longest trip and quite literally the hottest trip of the year! In 2017 we were able to take a group of 37 students to the regional towns of: Murgon, Cherbourg, Eidsvold, Theodore, Agnes Waters, Childers and Bundaberg. Our adventure went from the 23rd of November to December 1st and these nine incredible days were jammed packed with eye-opening experiences. In each town that welcomed us were able to gain an understanding of some of the issues that unite and divide the communities, such as: cultural history; environmental change and economic hardship. Please feel free to go ahead and check out more about what the Big team got up to in Cherbourg, Eidsvold, Theodore, Agnes Waters and Bundaberg.
Our nine-day adventure would not have been possible without the support and hospitality of the communities in which we visited. So thank you to all the communities in Murgon, Cherbourg, Eidsvold, Theodore, Agnes Waters, Childers and Bundaberg, for sharing your unique towns with us.
And of course, thank you to the Big Lifters themselves for giving of your time and energy. It really has been quite the adventure!
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Brisbane to Murgon - Day 1
We hit the road and headed to Murgon which is located in the South Burnett region of Queensland. On the way we were able to stop in at Kingaroy for some of their delicious peanuts from The Peanut Van. Once we arrived in Murgon, we were able to get settled in at the South Burnett PCYC and get to know each other better through some service learning activities.
Cherbourg - Day 2
The town of Cherbourg is also situated in the South Burnett region and is just six kilometres away from Murgon. In Cherbourg we were able to really grasp an understanding of the town's history. It can be summarised that the Indigenous Aboriginal people were once forcibly removed from their homes and re-located to the reserve which was once called Barambah but then was renamed as Cherbourg. One of the aboriginal elders Eric, who was once the superintendent of Cherbourg kindly shared his story of what his experience was like living in Cherbourg in his youth. Eric told us that the Ration Shed was once a place where the Aboriginal people would come to collect their rations when it was a reserve. Since then the community has turned the Ration Shed into a museum to showcase its history. Later that day in cherbourg we were able to help out around the town which included- setting up for the 'Golden Oldies' dinner, playing with the kids at the Gundoo Day Care and at the local school.
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Murgon to Eidsvold - Day 3
The Big Lift crew packed up and left for Eidsvold which is a small town located in the North Burnett region. It is a community of just 500 residents and it is known for their strong Aboriginal community that accounts for 40% of the population. It is home to the Wulli Wulli, Gurang Gurang and Wakka Wakka people. Some issues faced by the town include: lack of employment; lack of services; limited career options for youth and subsequent youth drain. Nonetheless, this peaceful and welcoming community has beautiful landscapes, facilities and such warm personalities. After we had unpacked we had the opportunity to listen and chat to two aboriginal elders, Liz and Steve. It was a very humbling and insightful experience to hear and listen to their stores of hardships.
Eidsvold - Day 4
This was one of our biggest project days as we had a lot on the agenda. We split up into groups to go help out at: Eidsvold Historical Society, Eidsvold Christian Centre, Eidsvold Show Society, the RM Williams Centre, the Learning Centre, and at some of the local community members' houses. After a long day of cleaning, gardening, digging and dusting, we were all very excited to hit the local pool for a giant water gun fight with the local kids. We all had a blast and it was also lovely to share in a sausage sizzle!
Eidsvold to Theodore - Day 5
It was time to pack up again and travel to the adorable town of Theodore which is situated North-West of Brisbane and is wedged directly where Caste Creek and the Dawson River meet. This has made Theodore prone to devastating floods over the years. The most recent floods were in 2010 which saw the town go under three times in the one year. The traditional custodians of the area were the Yeeman, Kangulu and Wulli Wulli people. In 2015, the Banana Shire acknowledged the traditional heritage and granted Native Title rights to the Wulli Wulli people.
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Theodore - Day 6
We had another big day of projects planned and we had a great start to the day with some delicious bacon and eggs which the very hospitable community members cooked for all of us each morning in Theodore. After being very well fed we split up again into groups and went to help out at: Hotel Theodore, Theodore Bowls Club, Theodore Recreational Reserve, Theodore Council on the Ageing, Theodore State School, Theodore Museum and one of the local community member's home.
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Agnes Water to Childers to Bundaberg - Day 7
We were all very excited because it was time for our surfing lesson in Agnes! Despite our exhausted bodies and the overcast weather, we were able to make the most of the group lesson and chanel our inner (non-existent) pro surfing skills. We then headed off to Childers where we were able to visit the Ohana Winery to taste some of their exotic fruits that they make into different wines and ciders. It was a great experience to meet the young husband and wife duo who decided to make the shift from city to country life to start up their winery. We then travelled to the Bundaberg YMCA to rest.
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Bundaberg to Brisbane - Day 8
Our trip had finally come to an end; it was bitter sweet to know that our exhausting yet uplifting trip was coming to an end. Thank you once again to all the communities that welcomed us with open arms and enriched us with food for thought.
