TO THE BUNYA Young Ambassadors BAY for the

Bunya to the Bay is an award winning educational experience This is an amazing and important opportunity, for State School grounded in Aboriginal culture and heritage that follows the students of all backgrounds and abilities in Years 10 11 & 12. It is Brisbane River from the source to the sea. In July and August of an opportunity to connect with South East ’s unique 2021 a group of 40 selected students will relay in teams to walk, environment, culture and communities. Young people will gain a cycle and canoe, over 340 km of challenging river terrain. deep sense of their place in the world and their capacity to shape Scienti c, personal, social, and adventure learning experiences its future. It is an opportunity of a lifetime. will build their understanding of the many facets of the Brisbane River. They will spend time with Elders on country connecting with deep and dynamic cultural heritage traditions and values. OPENING SUN 18 JULY 2021 On Wakka Wakka country at Barambah Environmental Education Centre the students will gather alongside parents and community for the opening ceremony. The students will spend time connecting with country and each other, learning about the challenge ahead and their role SUN 18 - THU 22 JULY within the journey as young River Ambassadors. Cycle & Hike Barambah EEC To The rst team of River Ambassadors will cycle and hike the mountains and gorges of the upper catchment. Departing from Barambah Environmental Education Centre travelling 1 for ve days through Wakka Wakka and into Jinibara country the students will come to understand the birthplaces of the Brisbane River within the bunya forests of the South Burnett. Reaching the township of Harlin the message stick will be passed on through ceremony to the next group of Ambassadors.

THU 22 - TUE 27 JULY Cycle & Canoe Harlin to Continuing on with the message stick the leg two Ambassadors will set o on bicycle along the Brisbane Valley 2 Rail Trail. O bikes and into canoes the students continue their journey on the vast waters of Lake Wivenhoe. Through TUE 27 - SAT 31 JULY continued immersion in the environment, scienti c observation and Canoe & Hike Wivenhoe Dam Wall to Kholo Botanic Gardens meetings with SEQ Water Rangers and Jinibara Elders they will connect deeply to ’s largest store of water, and From the message stick ceremony at Wivenhoe Dam the leg three learn the importance of its sustainable students will continue canoeing past Fernvale along the faster management and use. 3owing reach of the Brisbane River. Here they will nd a conference of natural, agricultural, suburban and recreational uses of the river. Representative of the work in managing this section of the river the ambassadors will use observation, communication, teamwork and persistence as they navigate early morning mist and rapids.

SAT 31 JULY - WED 4 AUG Canoe, Cycle & Walk Kholo Botanic gardens to Brisbane City After ceremony on Yuggera Yuggarapul Country, at Kholo Botanic Gardens the leg four students will canoe the tidal section of the river towards the city. The wide open reaches of the river lined by towering river gums and the occasional 4 bunya pine provides a unique and inspiring passage to the city. Journeying in this way, interacting with the natural, built and cultural heritage of the city the ambassadors will come to appreciate the ongoing associations that the diverse peoples of this part of the country have had with the urban and natural environments. FRI 6 AUGUST 2021 Walk & Boat Brisbane City to Minjerribah CLOSING River Ambassadors from all journey legs will meet again on Yuggera country. In sharing their experiences and reconnecting with each other and Elders, students will prepare for the nal journey and contemplate their role as river ambassadors for the future. A walk through the city, a train ride to Manly and a journey on the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre vessel the “Inspiration” will bring the students to Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Is. on Quandamooka). Through direct engagement in the heritage of Minjerribah, the Ambassadors will bring a close to the 2021 journey WED 4 - passing the message stick back to the Elders, and departing on their own journeys as Ambassadors for the future. For more information on how to nominate students or sign up yourself please get in touch. Stanley River Environmental Education Centre Ph: (07) 54971447 Email: [email protected] Web: www.stanleyrivereec.eq.edu.au

Bunya to the Bay is collaboratively produced by Queensland Department of Education Environmental Education Centres and is supported by Australian Heritage Specialists