2026 Cape York Indigenous Immersion

At the end of term 3, 26 x year 9 and 10 students headed off to sunny Far North Queensland, Cape York, to participate in an annual 8 x day Indigenous Immersion visiting First Nations homelands, Melsonby and Guurriill.

Our traditional owners and hosts Uncle Larry and Aunty Ginger ( Melsonby ), Uncle Richard and Aunty Lilian ( Guurriill ) shared with students their histories, culture, customs, languages and traditional creation stories over the next 6 days. It was amazing spending quality time with them around the campfire a learning about Australian First Nations perspectives.

Our last day before travelling back to Victoria included a cultural tour of the Australian Great Barrier Reef with First Nations Rangers and Marine Biologists as part of the REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program. This program is provided to students across Australia to travel to and participate in approved curriculum related learning experiences provided by Austrade-approved High Standard Tourism Operators (HSTOs) within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas (the Reef).

The intended outcomes of the Program are:

• increased student visitation to the Reef, smoothing seasonality and supporting local tourism operators and businesses

• increased awareness of and education about the Reef and the importance of sustainable tourism increased participation in activities which contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Reef.

An amazing experience, 2026 SICG Cape York Indigenous Immersion