On Saturday 24 April I led, on behalf of Mt Maria College, six students and two other staff members (Desley Murphy & Kath Bryant - both Enoggera Campus) to Uluru, Alice Springs and Santa Teresa.

 Four of these students are currently in Year 12 and the remaining two are from Year 10. It is impressive that amidst the pressures of Year 12 our students can give their time willingly to sidestep school for a week and give their time to such an emotionally and physically challenging experience.

While Uluru gave our group a cultural introduction to the community we were about to immerse ourselves in, the greatest impact and purpose was drawn from our week duration at Santa Teresa.

At Santa Teresa we were involved with the local primary school, facilitating sporting activities, tutoring and leading students in maths, literacy, prayer and music (drumming and singing). We were invited by the local women to participate in a number of local traditions, including both a Smoking Ceremony with the community's ‘traditional healer' and an evening ‘out bush' at Orchid Creek cooking Kangaroo tail in the ground and listening to the stories of the four local women whom we joined.
A crucial outcome of the Solidarity Immersion is the ongoing process of awareness we raise and an ongoing commitment to the relationship we have developed with the community at Santa Teresa. This awareness was fostered by Sr Liz Wiemers, who spent considerable time discussing the impact that the intervention has had on indigenous communities throughout the Northern Territory and specifically in Santa Teresa.
"For me personally, my immersion to Santa Teresa has been an eye opening experience emotionally, spiritually and physically. It has exposed me to many different things that I would not usually be exposed to. Not only an experience where I was challenged to be more and do more, but where I allowed myself to be captured and changed by the rich culture and community." Student's reflection.
"For me personally, my immersion to Santa Teresa has been a challenge to gradually let go of time and enter ‘the new country' to be physically and emotionally immersed by it's pro's, con's, culture and love." Ashley Higgins reflection
We will be running the Solidarity Immersion to Santa Teresa again next year! The experience has been extremely positive and has left a great impact on our students, empowering them to become a voice for both Santa Teresa and the social injustices within the community.