As I walked through the doors into the Perth Airport, there was a great sense of excitement and anticipation among all the tour participants for the next ten days' adventure ahead of us. After a three and a half hour flight, we stepped out onto the Kununurra tarmac and were hit by the 37 degree heat. We collected our luggage and hopped onto the bus, travelling to the Kununurra Museum and Historical Society. We were fortunate enough to have Andrew Barker show us around and share his knowledge and passion for Kununurra’s history. The museum was filled from top to bottom with historical artefacts and information ranging from the history of the Durack family to crocodile and bull skulls". Day One - Alana.
"After the dam and the Ord River, we visited the Argyle homestead, the traditional home of the Durack family. The small homestead had been disassembled, piece by piece, and rebuilt 16Km from its original location in 1969 due to the construction of the new dam in the late 1960s. The homestead was full of artefacts of the Durack family, and it was a pleasing experience to be able to decipher the immense, confusing family tree of the Duracks". Day Two - Darcy.
"I could not fathom attempting to live in the way in which they did, the hardships and way of life were seemingly rewarding, but the amount of trust that they put into their initial trek was astonishing. Sophie's research and shared insight was particularly useful when attempting to visualise just how much of an effect the Durack family had on the success and growth in the Kimberley, especially considering their entrepreneurship, pioneering and the pastoral roots and legacy that they have left behind." Day Two - Isabella.
The Wyndham Historical Society, of which there are only half a dozen members, was an incredibly rich building, overflowing with relics and passionately created displays. Chris McLaughlin, our guide and curator, indulged us in the memoir of a US pilot, Robert Pierce, who was sent to the town for a supposed servicing mission of aircraft, however the sole aircraft fuelled before the Battle of Wyndham (an attack on the fuel stores by Japanese Mitsubishi Zeros) was a single, obsolete bomber of unknown designation. The scenery was is stunningly rugged, flat valleys stretch between coarse, stark ranges of iron-red rock". Day 3 - Max.
"We travelled to both Anzac Hill as well as the Diversion Dam where our guide Keith shared insights to both sites, including the methods that farmers used to water their crops. We then took a town bus tour to view landmarks like Kelly’s Knob which provided spectacular views. We then bussed to East Kimberley College nearby to tour the school, moving through the different stages of the school’s development. At recess met with tour alumnus Nathan before joining with the Year 11 Kimberley Education for Life class; here, guest presenter Fritz Bolten explained about job opportunities in primary industries in the Kimberley region through the growing of cotton, corn, mung beans and chia, and local solutions to common problems". Day 4 - Jack.
"On March 3, 1942, the Japanese decided to strike and decimate all of the planes and Catalinas that were seeking refuge in Broome’s airstrip and harbour... the entire operation and attack lasted only 10 minutes; the precision and efficiency of the pilots is renowned." Day 5 - Isabella.
Our guide, Michael Lake, talked us through nearly the entire history of Broome. From the early settlement, to the golden days of pearling, and the air raid in World War II. The multicultural nature of Broome offers a history parallel to none. The one thing that will always stick with me is the way in which the authoritative attitude changed over the years. After a history of a strong involvement with the development of the town, the Japanese were quickly interned at the outbreak of WWII, and then shipped off to Japan at the end. However, relations have steadily improved: Australia's multiculturalism means strong ties to the region where most pearlers came from; and the Japanese officially apologised for the attacks after being invited for the first time to the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Broome." Day 5 - Sacha.
"The Wadjemup cultural tour today at Rottnest Island offered an alternative perspective to the typical perception of Rottnest Island as a fun tourist destination. We delved into the macabre reality of Aboriginal incarceration during colonial settlement, and embraced the traditional Nyungar culture of Rottnest Island through the dreamtime stories and songs shared by Walter McGuire, our tour guide. I found that the recurring theme of freedom versus confinement was eminent throughout the day, both through Walter’s personal stories as an Aboriginal man, and through our other guide Ian’s walk-through of the obscure and untold history which shadows the utopian island". Day 6 - Aaliyah.
"I was startled by the recollections of the massacres which took place at the Rottnest Island prison, and felt especially confronted when visiting the burial site of many Indigenous people. The burial site had no markers to acknowledge the deceased..." Day 6 - Grace.
"I asked Walter about why the Rottnest authorities keep the Quod (which was previously used as an Indigenous prison) as opposed to demolishing the building and with it, its horrific stories of torture and abuse. To that he replied that the Quod serves to act as a reminder of the acts of slavery and mistreatment that were carried out by the guards on Rottnest island, and wrongly accused prisoners." Day 6 - Lucy.
"Our day in Western Australia's metropolitan hub of Perth drew comparisons between the history of the Anzac legacy and the ongoing spirit and courage of active service members at the Special Air Service (SAS) Historical Collections. Veteran Captain Greg Mawkes toured us through the exhibitions and shared the regiment's history. From the SAS roots in the allied Z Special Unit to the evolution of the prestigious unit tasked with conducting high stakes and critical missions, a pattern and spirit of courage, resilience and strength shine through." Day 7 - Samuel Carter.
"...we were incredibly privileged to not only enter the base but receive a guided tour from SAS veteran and chairman of the SAS Historical Society, Greg Mawkes. Our tour included the museum, artefact hangar and art gallery. Each of the rooms offered an excellent display, and the level of passion, knowledge and love of the work was clear in every piece. The garden of reflection was a beautiful monument to those SAS solders who lost their lives in service to Australia and its people, whether it be in training or active military service, including the devastating 1996 Blackhawk helicopter crash in Townsville, Queensland." Day 7 - Max.
"The experience was made even more amazing when we were taken to visit the rare books room, a room that very few people get to visit, containing books that are over a certain amount of money per copy, books of only one copy, or books that are produced before a certain date. Getting to visit this room was amazing and I feel very privileged to have been able to look inside and even get to see a few rare artefacts myself." Day 7 - Sophie.
"Once we arrived, we visited the National Anzac Centre and Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum. It was very interesting to discover the significance of Albany for Australian Soldiers during World War One because for many of them, Albany was the last time they would ever see Australian shores. It was also fascinating to hear about the secrecy that had to be maintained to ensure Albany was not attacked while the convoys of soldiers were leaving." Day 8 - Alana.
"The colonial Europeans used Albany’s landscape as a natural fortress, harbour and significant means of transportation during war which reflects the prevalent attitude of the settlers in comparison to the Menang people who were spiritually connected to the land rather than seafaring. We found that landscapes act as time capsules of the past - the ultimate artifacts which are changed by the cultural and economic climate of the era." Day 8 - Aaliyah.
"Our guide Larry Blight, a Menang man, performed a Welcome to Country and explained the Aboriginal people’s close relationship to the sacred land as well as details about totems... He also told us about Aboriginal service during the war, and whale movement patterns..." Day 8 - Sam Cameron.
"Visiting the station after our trip to the National Anzac Centre the previous day demonstrated to me the extent of diversity in Albany’s rich history. As we wandered through the old whaling station, I was confronted by the horrific images of blood-covered beaches and slaughtered whales. Being present at the place where people worked for years processing whales led me to realise the extent of financial imperatives." Day 9 - Grace.
"...at Stony Hill we could see the entire bay as well as surrounding waters of this area. From this vantage point we were able to find the remains of an old tower that was present during World War II..." Day 9 - Jack.
"The journey to the pinnacle was mostly in silence which gave us a chance to reflect on the experiences and struggles of the brave service personnel." Day 10 - Sacha.
"We were all feeling dapper in our neat red uniforms and there was an air of excitement as we were finally reaching the culmination of the tour, but there was also a mood of contemplation..." Day 10 - Darcy.
"Flares were fired to recognise those who left Albany and did not return home to their family, mates and country." Day 10 - Sam Carter.
"One of my favourite moments from Anzac Day was when by chance we met Aaron Porebski, a Premier's Anzac Student Tour alumnus at the Dawn Service. He had been part of the tour back in 2004 before most of us had even been born." Day 10 - Aleesya.
"As we listened to the stories of veterans and the Last Post played, we remembered the servicemen and women who faced hardships like no other so that we could stand safely here today. It was a beautiful reflective commemoration, a sentiment shared among all those who gathered..." Day 10 - Maya.
"Today was a reminder that Anzac Day is not only about showing gratitude and commemorating the Anzacs, but also about learning from the past as history guides us. It is about reflecting on and applying the good qualities which the Anzacs displayed such as mateship and fortitude while avoiding the atrocity and ruthlessness which accompanies war." Day 10 - Aaliyah.
"The service was unlike any that I had gone to in the past - the beautiful Albany landscape surrounding the striking memorial made for an extremely moving and emotional service. I was also fortunate enough to wear the World War One medals of my great great-Grandfather for the service, something that I was extremely proud and honoured to do." Day 10 - Sophie.
Credits:
Opening image taken by Emily Donders