2021
END OF YEAR TRIP
Sunday 28th November - Sunday 5th December
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Despite almost getting cancelled due to last minute rain and years of despair "natural disasters" postponing and cancelling events, our strong team of executives managed to keep on the pursuit to keep our annual Big Lift trip alive; Annabelle Nott, Raymond Werkman, Taylor Willmington, Matthew Lowe, Riley Mulheron, Andrew Ballantyne and Luc Nederhof, led by the resilient Joris Mijinssen. The rain may have seeped through the bus roof and crept in from all corners but that did not stop this team from pulling together a successful trip. Originally planning to visit the town Wandoan, Chinchilla, Injune and Roma, we unfortunately had to skip Wandoan after unforeseen weather. In a positive light, our trip led us to many new faces and new relationships not only with each other but with the regional communities as we engaged in needs-based volunteering and led meaningful discussions fostering student development.
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(L-R): Caitlin MacPhail, Luc Nederhof, Andrew Ballantyne, Taleesha Crone, Annabelle Nott, Matthew Lowe, Abigale Pineda, Raymond Werkman, Sally Boden, Chilli Kot, Nathan Kimber, Gracie Lee, Hayley Bandera, Lucinda Nott, Taylor Willmington, Lucas Ingram-Johnson, Chris Ayling, Joris Mijnssen, Misa Mojarrabi, Ilva Werkman, Riley Mulheron, Chisto Mohan, Tamzin Ward Kucurs, Joade Lennox, Susan Li, Long Ly
Meet the 2022 End of Year Trip participants in a short video made by our 2022 new executive Abigale Pineda. Video Down Below.
"For me, the trip started when I woke up super early on the first morning to pack my suitcase. I had half packed when a lovely local from Wandoan, our first town, contacted me for an urgent phone call. When I got off the phone I looked down at my suitcase and wondered if I should continue packing. But I was tired of being the only executive to have never been on a Big Lift trip and our team had worked too hard to have no trips for the whole year! Each item of clothing I picked up fuelled me with hope and adrenaline. I had completely forgotten what time it was when I phoned our president to update him on the situation - apologies Joris. I had a remarkable time thanks to remarkable coordination, candid communication, cooperation, collaboration, and colourful conversation. Thank you 2021 Big Lifters I had a blast and am looking forward to the future of this club."
~ Annabelle Nott, Wandoan Community Consultant 2021
Brisbane to Chinchilla - Day 1
The starry night sky is painted in a bright warm orange as the sun slowly arises from beneath the horizon. The cricket chirps are slowly drowned in the morning birds' song. It's the early hours of Big Lift's 2021 End of Year Trip Day 1. Community Consultant Annabelle and another 25 Big Lifters, already awake and yawning, pack their bags last minute in preparation of the greatest journey ahead. A ringing interrupts the sweet melody. Annabelle looks over to her phone to hit the snooze button, only this was no ordinary alarm, in fact it was not an alarm at all. "Hello, this is Wandoan calling" mumbles the person over the phone; words which would haunt the executives till this day.... and so the journey begins.
Right outside the gates of QUT, the unknowing big lifters gather on the lawn of the Botanic Gardens (No this was not a protest, just collective group of people with blood red uniforms and unattended bags forming a circle with a desire to change the world for the better). Exec Annabelle disappoints the Club's President, Joris, and his band of merry people including Raymond Werkman, Taylor Willmington, Matthew Lowe, Riley Mulheron, Andrew Ballantyne and Luc Nederhof with the news that Wandoan has called to warn Big Lift of flooding. The team decide to ignore Mother Nature's dying wish to cancel all Big Lift events and lead the 2021 EOY class to board the Big Lift Bus. After a long bus ride of exchanging names and speed dating, the bus safely arrives in Chinchilla beginning a night of 'Name Bang' and hand shadow puppetry.
Chinchilla - Day 2
A ding comes from the kitchen toaster. Injune's Community Consultant, Andrew, recounts the story of his unending discontentment for sweets and proceeds to smother his burnt raisin toast with peanut butter and Nutella, leaving both jars half empty. Other participants follow on and take part in the action, digesting every single last blackened crumb from their breakfast. Now fully energised, the united group split up into smaller teams to work on volunteer projects at Chinchilla's museum, Southern Cross Care, Drought Angels and an elderly lady's home (See the work below). Lunch arrives as sandwiches however the Biglifters are already filled with the sweet handwritten love letters from team 1 on the packaging. The day turns to night and big lifters slowly make their way home from the projects and exploring town. The green frogs join in the party as Riptide echoes through the town with the appearance of guitars and ukuleles.
Aged Care Facility
A few of us visited Chinchilla's aged care facility where we did some cleaning and gardening. The residents even baked us some cookies, which is ultimately became a personal favourite for many.
Drought Angels Volunteering
A group of us helped pack donation boxes to be sent out to farmers in need.
Private Home Care
A small group of us visited a private home to assist an elderly homeowner with cleaning and gardening. After our volunteering was done, we kept the lady company as we chatted and have laughs together. We were even invited to make our own essential oil mix which would later be shared among the Big Lift participants.
Chinchilla Museum
Another project we worked on was assisting a caretaker and Chinchilla's Museum. It was interesting discussing about rural life with the caretaker as we discovered that he often moves around these smaller towns and broaden our perspective on life out here. The caretaker was the only worker managing the museum and so it was a lovely being able to lessen the load for him by cleaning the museum grounds.
Chinchilla to Roma to Injune - Day 3
It is day 3. Joris glares at the 2022 Media Producer, Long, timidly poking at his shoulder to wake him up. The possessed gaze was enough to ignite Long's childhood mornings of potty training. Squeals escape the showgrounds as mattresses are deflated. The group quickly proceed to pile onto the bus and leave Chinchilla as the road begins to flood behind them. Don't be sad cause this was not enough to break their spirits; 2022 Media Boss, Abi, slammed the Spotify play button as Silly Hat Champion, Chris, readies the cups for water leaks. The party would not stop for anything.
Before arriving in Injune, the crew have a short rest at Roma's Big Rig, where important photos are taken. Soon after, they make home at Injune's Hall. Service Learning Coordinator, Riley, organises a mini-Olympics where Team Bull Broth, Team Joris, Team Fifty Shades of Raymond and Team Third Time's a Charm are born. With the amazing super-sense of the Club Secretary, Taylor, Team Bull Broth is victorious. They are then treated to a small performance from Chinchilla's Community Consultant, Luc, and his musical air mattress.
Rowdy Bull Broth 2000
& Baby Bull Broth Junior
"Throughout our time on the big lift trip, I thoroughly enjoyed all the towns we stayed in; however, I personally valued the services and unique story of Injune the most. Experiencing a rural town for the first time was such a breath of fresh air from the city and I heavily admired the town’s intimate and strong sense of community. The townsfolk, streets, corner stores and monuments felt incredibly genuine, and I loved the idea of everyone knowing each other. I achieved an immense gratitude for the little things that are often overlooked in the bustling Brisbane city. Apart from the unique and natural charm of the houses and environment, the comradery and communal work ethic was very inspiring. People would do their best and pitch in for the best interests of the town. Their efforts evoked big change, and I’m very honoured I was involved in it for a short time. My favourite experiences included a night-time walk (where I saw a stunning mass of stars and galaxies, we attempted to take photos of), a bacon and egg roll out by a horse paddock during a sunset, and the time my team and I spent braving the Injune heat and bonding with each other whilst painting house numbers."
~ Gracie Lee, Trip Participant no. 11
Injune - Day 4
The Big Lift crew awake early for another big day of volunteering work including painting house numbers for the residents of Injune. Groups also go to help at Injune's church, primary school, aged care facility and hospital (See the work below). They also meet Injune's council workers and have a meaningful talk. It was a new experience for many coming to rural Queensland. They learn that many residents have more than two jobs, not because they want to but to keep Injune up and running. The small town is gracious to have Big Lift there as they have a lack of support due to low population. Night comes by with a tap tap tapping of floorboards as the Big Lifters make music together. They enjoy some dancing, singing, games and impromptu races. As laughter fills the hall, outside, the small town of Injune sleep. A few of them relax under the night sky which dazzle with the sights of shooting stars.
Painting Street Numbers for Residents
In Injune, we were asked by the town counsellor to help paint house numbers along the street curb. It was a long day in the sun but seeing the roads filled with yellow numbers was a very rewarding accomplishment, knowing that we were trusted with such an important task as emergency services tend to rely on it. It was a great day as we had multiple group rotations to complete the project. Everyone enjoyed the project very much as we also got to wander the street, see all the houses and meet some resident passerbys.
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Injune School
A small group of us also visited Injune's school for kids where some hedge trimming was accomplished.
Injune Hospital
We also planned to help bring along the Christmas spirit to patients at Injune's small hospital and put up decorations however we lost track of time and unfortunately arrive late when all the patients were sleeping. We however moved outside the facility to remove the old wool decorations for the nurses and prepped the giant tree for Christmas decorations. Though it was not much, the small hand we lent was returned with gratitude as all the facility has been understaffed for a long time and the little aid we were able to provide was still helpful.
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Aged Care Facility
In Injune we also helped out at an aged care facility where only two nurses manage the whole centre by themselves. We cleaned the windows and helped do some gardening in a self grown produce garden which was maintained and often used by residents.
Injune Religious Space
We also had an interesting visit to Injune's only religious space which would provide for multiple religions and helped clean around and sand window frames for painting.
"My experience at Injune was like none other. I was pleasantly surprised by the many locals who pulled their car over to have a chat with us. During these conversations, I discovered that practically everyone knew each other and were supportive of each other’s individual efforts within their town. This was genuinely endearing and really went to show everyone’s sense of community and commitment to Injune. The kindness around the town was also extended to us, with some of the best facilities provided for free along with Injune water bottles and wine coolers as a parting gift. Finally to top it off, to be treated to a beautifully lit stary sky every night was the retreat from city lights that I could never grow bored of. Despite its small size, Injune has a BIG heart. Occupied by a deep connection to community and each other I believe this town highlights a lack of community within our own city/suburban towns. If we could all strive to live a little more connected like the people of Injune, I am certain that we could create a society of greater mutual respect, care and belonging."
~ Christo Mohan, Trip Participant no. 18
Injune to Chinchilla - Day 5
With the floods now cleared, the Big Lift participants have to say goodbye and sadly leave Injune to head back to Chinchilla. The rest of the day is left for free time so, the group go on an excursion to the water park by Chinchilla Botanic Parkland. Today is also Andrew's birthday so Joris and Riley prepare a surprise gift for dinner. At night, the community talks were unfortunately cancelled due to the floods however they had a small visit from one of Bovine Reproductive Training's workers and held discussions amongst themselves.
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Chinchilla - Day 6
Day 6 begins with Joris awaking Riley to borrow a speaker. As the devil smirked, music blasted from the speaker sending the whole group to jump up out from their sweet dreams into reality. Today the group split off in two - some went next door to the aged care facility and the rest went back to Drought Angels. The kind workers there offered them food and ice blocks to cool off from the hard days of work gardening, cleaning, organising and making a photoshoot space. After finishing the last project of their trip, the volunteers had a night out.
Drought Angels Volunteering
We spent another day with Drought Angels' projects, where most of us got the chance to work. With had all hands on deck to revamp their outdoor scene and help reorganise the backrooms; a car was washed, boxes were rearranged, plants were potted, weeds were weeded and photos were taken as we built a photo scene space out front (Pictured above where we finally got organised and took a picture with everyone together only to hide the new photo space that look amazing).
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Dalby - Day 7
Big Lift arrive at Roma after a short drive. Quickly depositing their belongings at Dalby's PCYC, they leave for a community talk at Arrow Energy centre in the heart of Dalby where a major part of service learning occurred. That night, the volunteers split into small discussion groups to reflect on the talks and things learnt on the trip about rural life. The last night means some much needed tears as the now new family of Big Lifters have their last chats with each other. With the trip coming to an end, participants stayed up late singing songs, playing games and giving massages.
Our last stop for the trip was Dalby where meaningful discussions were held in groups as we reflected on our trip and the things we learnt. We were even lucky enough to have a community talk from Arrow Energy where we were opened up to the workings of their company and their community engagement.
Dalby to Brisbane - Day 8
Shake, sizzle, boom... the kitchen opens early as the sound of Big Lifters burning pancakes resonate throughout the halls of the PCYC centre. It was now home time. The Big Lifters say their goodbyes and board the bus one last time. The bus shakes intensely, curtains drawn closed, the seats empty... where are they? Dancing down the aisle.... and they lived happily ever after :)
"For me the trip started when I was woken up at 5:30am with a call saying that the first town we were visiting might flood. After hearing from a community member that we shouldn’t come because the town would be flooded, I made some calls and we managed to stay 2 nights in Chinchilla instead. It was amazing to see the work everyone did in Chinchilla and the personal connections everyone formed with the locals. After making a bunch more calls, we later made it to Injune as the road flooded behind us. We all loved Injune and got a warm welcome from the local council. When we’d finished our projects, some of us hoped the road would stay flooded so we’d have to stay there another day, but we did eventually make it back to Chinchilla. After another hot day of volunteering work there, we were glad to have a rest day in Dalby before heading back to Brisbane."
~ Joris Mijnssen, Club President 2021
