Tom: Final Days in Minyerri

Thursday morning was our last full day in Minyerri and we were lucky enough to spend it out on country at Bringung. After an early (sort of) start we took the two troopies along the Hodgson River Road toward the Roper Highway, eventually crossing it, in our search for the fishing spot. After some tough driving conditions, including a battle against a barb wire fence, we made it the river and began to set up our camp. Bringung is a stunning place. After seeing all of the magnificent places around Minyerri over the past few weeks it has been hard to find a favourite, they all have their own sense of beauty, serenity and inspire a real connection to the land. Bringung was, of course, no exception. 

Stunning Bringung.

The tarps were dropped near the fishing section, a wide and deep part of the river where the possibility of salties (salt water crocodiles) was raised and therefore swimming discouraged. However, a little further down there was a shallow section with some fast ‘rapids’ where the kids and the activity leaders could have a quick bogey (swim)! It was an absolute highlight of mine sitting in the rapids and having the water rush past, it was particularly good as the pressure in the showers back in our home at Minyerri left a little to be desired. So I’m counting my little dip as a swim and a shower. 

Jesse and some kids enjoying the water.

Mucking around. 

Micheala pulled out some fish, a black bream and a catfish, and served up one of the best meals you could ever wish to eat. Fresh as fresh can be fish, on top of damper just off the fire! The culinary delights for the day had only just begun…. We packed up and drove home, again battling against the barbed wire fence and making it through. Another day another stunning local spot that we were so privileged to see.

Thursday evening was special for a whole other reason. The Riley family had a surprise for the activity leaders! All we knew was that it was for dinner on our last night…. Amy and Jesse, as old hands of Teachabout, were directed to help set up whilst Tara, Kevin and Phoebe waited back at camp. At the last minute another pair of hands were needed to collect firewood and so I was drafted into the setup team. Before leaving the community Tara, Kev and Phoebe were blindfolded to ensure the secrecy of the location and that no peeping was going on. Once there they were led out into the open and allowed to open their eyes, and what a sight! Dinner of baked potatoes and a smorgasbord of toppings were cooking in the fire surrounded by the Riley family. 

Potatoes on the fire.

Extra special surprise for Tom and Kevin.

The other treat was the two tarps that had been laid out, and bedding brought too, so that we could lie back and watch the stars as we fell asleep. It was a beautiful way to spend our last night, surrounded by our new family, by which I mean both activity leaders and Riley’s, and to connect with the country one last time. Falling asleep under the stars while Trevor Riley plays the guitar by the fire is a moment I will not soon forget.

Driving out on Friday morning was met with a variety of emotions. Waving goodbye to all the kids as we drove around the community was both sad to be seeing for perhaps the last time and heart-warming to reflect on the relationships that had been built over the month. Heading down to the Riley’s to say our last goodbyes gave us a chance to hand out a few tokens of the immense gratitude we felt. Robin also had a gift for us. He had been painting, day and night, for the last few days to produce a huge and stunning work. It was his friendship, he told us. 

Robin and his beautiful painting.

Driving out for the last time and the long trip to Darwin gave all of us a chance to reflect on our time, in between rocking out to road trip tunes. 

The month had its ups and downs, tough days and stressful moments are always a feature in a trip like this. However those moments are blown away by the amazing sights you see and the wonderful people you meet. We are up there to run a holiday program but the community gives more than it gets. The open arms with which we were received and the lessons we were taught are the memories that I will take away from this trip. I would like to thank Teachabout, Amy, Jesse, Phoebe, Tara and Kevin for this amazing month. It couldn’t have been the success it was without you!

Finally, for those of you who have been following this blog or just stumbled across it over the past few months please consider going up to Minyerri. The chance to see the places mentioned and meet the people we have spoken about is too great an opportunity to pass up. If you are even a little bit interested, get in contact with Teachabout and apply for the Wet Season trip. It is something you will never forget and, I promise, never regret.