In March 2024 Girls from Oz (g-oz) concluded its programming after thirteen years in Carnarvon, WA. Hear from Elin Schulz, AGC chorister and g-oz Ambassador selected to attend the 2023 Reverse Travel Program in Carnarvon, as she tells g-oz of her unforgettable experience on Yinggarda Country.
g-oz: Hi Elin, we’re excited to hear about your experience on the 2023 ‘Captivating Carnarvon’ Reverse Travel Program! Could you briefly explain what a Reverse Travel Program (RTP) is for those who may not know?
Elin: Sure! A major part of Girls from Oz are the Travel Programs that happen each year, allowing girls from remote Indigenous communities to visit major cities and broaden their horizons through the sharing of the performing arts. As part of the two-way learning approach, g-oz has also conducted three Reverse Travel Programs in collaboration with the Australian Girls Choir, giving a small group of choristers the chance to experience a Girls from Oz trip first hand.
g-oz: Great! Can you tell us a bit about your own experience on this RTP? Once selected, what was the initial process like?
Elin: I was one of twelve AGC choristers travelling to Carnarvon, from five different states and cities across Australia. We connected for the first time over Zoom with each other and the adults leading us on this trip, Sally Gawley, Hallie Paul and Kylie Lee-Archer. While we allocated voice parts and practiced our trip repertoire, we also talked about tone setting, and the importance of entering this community with respect and humility.
Being a part of the ‘Captivating Carnarvon’ trip allowed me to witness and feel firsthand the true depth of what g-oz achieves in the work that they do. Girls from Oz is not only about the development of perspectives and reflection, but on a much deeper level about reconciliation and supporting of young women in the context of their culture and community.
g-oz: Thanks for sharing, Elin – that’s exactly what g-oz is about! In terms of performing arts education, what activities were you involved in during the week?
Elin: Throughout the week, we took part in singing, dance and drama sessions with a range of different age groups. While we practiced simple coordination activities and games with the younger year groups, we worked up to some complex harmonies and choreographies with the senior girls.
g-oz: During these sessions, was there a particular moment that really struck a chord with you?
Elin: One of these sessions still sticks in my mind to this day. In the first block of the morning, we had a small group of around five Year 7 girls. We not only outnumbered them in numbers, but also in our energy, excitement and enthusiasm. The girls were extremely shy…and not participating in any activities that we proposed. I recall feeling confronted and confused by the lack of engagement, and feeling guilty for putting them through what obviously felt like an uncomfortable experience. Systems of repression and shame exposed themselves through discomfort in self-expression, something that Girls from Oz was slowly chipping away at with each visit. Through experiences like this, shared meals, casual chats in the playground, and the forming of friendships, their confidence blossomed over the week as they connected with us and the g-oz vision slowly began to take shape in front of me.
g-oz: You previously mentioned the ‘two-way learning approach’ of the RTP. Could you share with us some of the two-learning you experienced on Yingarrda Country?
Elin: During the week, we had the privilege of spending some time on Yingarrda country with Aunty Rennee and her daughter Marhleigh-J. We learnt about Indigenous knowledge systems, herbal remedies, and were able to witness and participate in a ‘call to ancestors,’ in which we threw sand into the ocean and introduced ourselves to the spirits. We bonded around a campfire, witnessed the night sky through Aunty Rennee’s telescope, tried some of her kangaroo stew, sang with local artist Jannis and camped on country. Our week involved many of these meaningful moments.
g-oz: What amazing opportunities and beautiful memories.
And, now having experienced a g-oz program firsthand, how effective do you think g-oz programs are?
Elin: While the week involved many light hearted moments such as snorkeling at the local beach, hide and seek in the dark, joint sleep overs with our new friends, classic braiding and massage chains, performing for campers in the natural artesian baths, exploring the local growers market, fresh ice cream at the Bumbaks banana plantation, visiting the dish and so many more, it also impacted me in much more profound ways.
During this week, I got to see how Girls from Oz provides a safe space for young girls and women to take risks and experiment without shame or consequences. The consistency of the programs gives the g-oz participants something to trust and rely on and, perhaps for those who have experienced unstable living conditions or past triggering events that have impacted their wellbeing, confidence and trust, may be one of the very first times that they have experienced a feeling of consistency in the form of reliable, ongoing support and engagement. The Travel Program gives them a clear pathway and goal to work towards, and they grow in confidence and self-esteem and develop their skills in social settings, commitment and dedication.
g-oz: Your answers have been so thoughtful and thorough – thank you, Elin!
Final question, g-oz strives to contribute to improving the overall wellbeing and future educational and employment outcomes of girls and young women living in remote Australia – would you say that we are achieving this goal?
Elin: Hearing from a young girl that g-oz is the reason she consistently attends school proved the power and significance of the work to me. For to invest in the education of a young woman, and support her in finding pride in her identity and culture while learning to make sustainable choices to support herself, is an asset to the community and all of us, and one that should never be underestimated.
g-oz: Thanks for your time, Elin!
Elin: Thanks, g-oz!
To read more about the g-oz Carnarvon Community Program and successful partnership with Carnarvon Community College, click here.
