Wirrpanda Experience 2019
Earlier this month, Perkins Project Manager Mick had the opportunity to join the Wirrpanda Foundation and West Coast Eagles for 5 days on the Wirrpanda Remote Regional Experience in the state’s Pilbara region. The purpose of the trip was in support of the Wirrpanda Remote School Attendance Strategy Program and to engage with the local children in a number of activities.
Here is Mick’s full report on the experience:
Day 1
After arriving in Karratha mid-afternoon we were straight on the bus to Point Samson to meet up with Wirra Kids from Wickham Primary for an afternoon engagement with the community comprising of cricket, soccer and of course footy followed by a BBQ. On the bus journey we were advised we should expect to be interrogated by the kids as they will want to know everything about us. Shortly after our introduction and as the sport commenced for the afternoon the rapid fire questions came our way. After a solid 2hrs of sport and interrogation the first beer of the evening was well deserved.
Day 2
All aboard for a casual 3hr bus ride from Karratha to Onslow where we would be based for the next three days. Arriving shortly after lunch it was an afternoon full of community activities. First up was 3×3 basketball with primary school kids followed by dodgeball with high school kids at the Onslow Multi- Purpose Centre. The adults were evenly split across two teams and it was game on right from the first whistle blow. The high school kids turned up to play and were super competitive, the adults were clearly the primary targets. If you couldn’t dodge multiple balls purposely thrown at you. Like Neo dodges bullets in the matrix you found yourself watching from the side lines very quickly with a complimentary sledge. Last item on the itinerary for day two was sunset footy with the West Coast Eagles at Onslow Primary. Over the next 2 hours it was skills and drills clinic for the Onslow community mostly the kids with parent’s onlooking along with a special guest visit from Rick the Rock the Eagles Mascot which sent the kids into an absolute frenzy for photos and Eagles merchandise giveaways.
Day 3
Another day another bus trip, this time heading out to Peedamulla Cattle Station for a cultural experience. Peedamulla meaning ‘plenty water’ In local Aboriginal language, and is managed by traditional owners Preston and Caroline Parker. It is approximately 226,000 Hectares. Peedamulla is one of five cattle stations purchased by the Federal Government and land titles signed over to the Indigenous communities for operation in the late 1970’s, a very significant milestone and one that many Pilbara Indigenous communities are proud of. Preston was our guide throughout our time on the station and was never short of a yarn offering plenty of insight to his elders of the land before, land traditions, Aboriginal law and ceremonies. I walked away with a greater appreciation and understanding of our indigenous culture. Our time at Peedamulla was nearing to an end, leaving just one more thing left to do and that was the culinary experience. Caroline and her Grandmother Doris had been preparing lunch during our tour of the station. On the menu was traditionally cooked Kangaroo Tail Stew with Dampier. The kangaroo was cooked in the ground prior to making the stew and needless to say it was cooked to perfection, far better than my attempt with Kangaroo purchased from Woolworths which resulted in the smoke alarm cheering me on. After demolishing two rounds of stew it was time to head back to Onslow for the Passion of the Pilbara Festival. The bus trip back to Onslow took a slight detour through ‘Old Onslow’. In the earlier 1900’s the federal government decide to locate the entire town closer to the water. This was done to prevent the town from being blasted regularly by cyclones, and there are only a few structures which partially remain being the prison and the police station. Bi-annually BHP and Chevron in conjunction with a few other sponsors cater for a community festival (Passion of Pilbara) comprised of live musical acts, rides and amusement which is all free of charge, no paying for rides or side shows which drew a fairly large crowd both nights along with the inaugural fishing comp with an attractive first prize of $10k for the largest Spanish mackerel caught. This certainly had the community talking and plenty of spectators at evening weigh-ins.
Day 4
No bus ride to day, Awesome! Day 4 was all about reaching out to the Onslow Local Community and spreading the word of the Wirrpanda Foundation at the Passion of the Pilbara Festival final day. Bump in was 10.30am until 4pm to set up our mini stall offering showbags of Wirrpanda merchandise, handball or kick footy with Troy Cook or make you own indigenous magnets at the art and craft table provided. The magnets and footy passing kicking proved to be very popular and drew a reasonable crowd steadily throughout the day resulting in being able to see quite a few familiar faces from the previous day’s activities offering that next level of in-depth social engagement and interaction with the indigenous community.
Day 5
One last bust trip back to Karratha airport to get our flight home with a quick stop into Dampier. After seeing the movie Red Dog I was excited to see the statue in person and read the narrative posters.
To conclude, getting amongst the community for 5 days has significantly increased my awareness, knowledge and understanding of the indigenous community .
Recently, some vile and racist comments were made about a young, indigenous 
