The dawn of day three…

The morning air was chilli, fresh but it was all worth it to step out into open plains, and clear blue skies. The Goodooga scenery never ceases to amaze Sydneysiders with the splendours of country living. After three breakfasts consisting of toast, cereal, bacon, eggs we set out for our tour around Goodooga. Although we were back in 15 minutes, this is not to understate what is on offer from this small town. After hearing from Auntie Patsy, we were exposed to history and the rich character of the town.  Aunty Patsy told us about her life growing up on the reserve and the joys it brought her, and how Goodooga has changed from a population decline from 600 to 200 today. We learnt about the factories including a cordial factory, and businesses that sold out, to now virtually no general store, just the town’s post office. She talked about the problems amongst young people living in the town – the loss of culture due to lack of interest.

Again well fed after a short recess, we crossed the town to Goodooga Central School where we were welcomed into the primary students’ classrooms to participate in crafts. We had the opportunity to paint traditional Aboriginal symbols and paintings on the schools tent which was an activity for NAIDOC week and symbolised the tent embassy. We then exercised our creativity in helping the children design white hats with fabric markers which they can wear at school. We were also given the opportunity to create our own, a keepsake that we can all take home, that will not only be useful but meaningful. To burn a bit of energy we grew closer to the kids through skipping games. The school was a great opportunity to mingle with the local kids, which we found to be an enriching and energetic morning.

After lunch, we went straight to the school hall to decorate it in preparation for our NAIDOC disco. Team Balloons vs. Team Streamers vs. Team Posters battled it out to produce a scene worthy of the occasion.  The final product was something we were truly proud of and we are looking forward to the disco on Wednesday night.

The most touching part of the day, was our visit to the cemetery. Half hours walk to a remote spot, where we silently walked through the headstones.  The experience highlighted the cultural division in the past through observing the differences of the elaborate marble headstones, to the simple wooden crosses. The experience at the cemetery was one we will always remember. As Cassie was with us, we used gum leaves to brush off our legs and feet and to ask the spirits not to follow us out of the cemetery.

Our final destination for the day was the Goodooga bore. All 17 girls hopped onto the bus, swimmers on and ready to get out of the cold and into the hot water coming from the artesian springs. We all jumped into the tub, which comfortably fits 12 and uncomfortably 18.  Everyone got out their shampoo and conditioner and washed our hair in the natural spring waters. This experience was better than we expected and this was clear on the bus home with our smiles and energised singing. In reflection we were also gifted with bumper stickers – “where the bloody hell is Goodooga” which I’m sure all parents will be ecstatic to put on their cars.  

Eliza and Laura