This Australia Day weekend, 30 First Nations children from far north western New South Wales are trading the red dirt of home for the golden sands of Sydney’s northern beaches for a three-day beach adventure with the ‘Bush to Beach’ program.
For most of this group of 8-to-15-year-olds, it will be the first time they lay eyes on the ocean, feel the sand between their toes and have a swim in the surf. It may also be the first time they’ve had the chance to make friends with children from outside their communities. The northern beaches life saving community and many volunteers will be helping to make this experience an absolute cracker.
Children were selected for the program based on positive school attendance and behaviour, encouraging young people to stay engaged in the education system.
This year, the much-loved ‘Bush to Beach’ program is celebrating 20 years of providing Indigenous children from far north western New South Wales with an unforgettable beach adventure. Since the first trip in 2006, the program has brought up to 50 young people and carers annually from Brewarrina, Goodooga, Burke and surrounding communities for a three-day camp on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Founded by Jack Cannons AM, the program aims to inspire confidence and self-esteem by promoting education for Aussie kids.
“Education is the only way that young people can grow and survive,” said Cannons. “Kids in the outback don’t have the same opportunities as kids in the city. I wanted them to see what else is out there, enjoy new environments and meet new people.”
Beach Buddies
This year from 24-27 January, 30 kids from Brewarrina, Weilmoringle and Goodooga will travel by bus for a weekend in Narrabeen. The program is packed with beach games, as well as educational activities and water safety lessons.
Participants will engage with a surf life experience featuring lessons from local surf clubs, a beach volleyball competition, a formal dinner, snorkelling and resuscitation training. There will also be plenty of time for the kids to play on the beach.
What really makes the program special is how the northern beaches community, surf lifesaving clubs and Bush to Beach organisers work together to make sure each trip is a success and remains free for participants and carers. Over 1000 hours of volunteer work and numerous donated resources ensure that all transport, meals, accommodation and needs of the program are catered for. In fact, South Narrabeen Surf Club has been committed to Bush to Beach since the program’s first day.
“This experience not only rewards the children for their hard work in school, but it also opens their eyes to the vibrant beach culture outside their communities. Our aim is to build confidence and instill valuable life skills,” Cannon reflects.
This year’s program is particularly special as it proudly welcomes back four original participants, including Christopher ‘Burra’ McHughes. Christopher was on the very first Bush to Beach trip, where he saw the ocean for the first time.
“It took me a while to realise the impact Bush to Beach had on me,” Burra remembers. “I was a kid from the bush and suddenly I found myself exposed to totally new experiences and a different environment from what I was used to.”
Today, Burra is a proud Murriwarri Ngemba Yuwaalaraay man and serves as a founding member of the NSW Rural Fire Service’s first Indigenous State Mitigation crew in Brewarrina and Bourke. He is an accomplished photographer and an inaugural Bush to Beach Director.
As part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations, Burra will share his journey and the impact of Bush to Beach with the next generation of participants, reinforcing the importance of resilience, education, and cultural pride.
“The program is so important to the community here. It’s giving kids a reason to stay in school and providing opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
To find out more of get involved head to Bush to Beach.
To read about the best Indigenous sights and attractions in Sydney, click here.
