HOPEDjarragun College –the dream becomes reality.
What an amazing time I had at this indigenous college in Gordonvale, 20 minutes from Cairns, where smiling students from all parts of Far North Queensland and the Islands of the tip of Queensland know as the Torres Straits as well as from the nearby community ofYarrabah, in smartly coloured uniforms fill classrooms full of activity, culture, music and dance
This very positive environment, surruonded by rich soil of the cane field and tropical mountains, give this place a feeling of hope for the future, not only for the indigenous students who attend, but hope for all of us. Djarragun College has a priority of respect and pride for all individuals. Principal, Jean Illingworth, the school’s staff welcomed the
HOPE projects on the 18th March, only six days after I came up with the idea.
Selma has the honour of being the first of many prints I will collect over the next few years.
This ability to adapt showed through when Djarragun opened its doors in January 2001, despite the challenges of operating a new school in a torrential tropical downpour which lasted several weeks.“As the rain increased so to did the students and our numbers quickly tripled,” Principal, Jean Illingworth, says.“It was their spirit which kept them coming even though other schools had better facilities, closer to home and a lot less mud,” she explains. “They were seeking an environment where they could express their joy, reach their potential and nurture their spirit.”
The Djarragun College now takes it's place as the first school to be part of the HOPE projects, they will now be linked to the next school included North Arm State School on the Sunshine Coast. They will also be linked with the last school I visit in 2004, as they become the
Global Children's Alliance.
Together these students will play a major roll in showing us adults the way to Peace and a better world. By linking an Australian Indigenous school, firstly with an Non Indigenous school in the same state, is as important as linking them with schools overseas, the need to share between our two cultures, is an impoartand step towards making it a better world for Caitlin and all children
Djarragun students will always hold a special place in my heart, as without your willingness to particapate, HOPE would not have got off the ground so quickly and show what is possible when- a dream becomes a reality!
Hands of Peace Exhibition
Other Peace projects for children around the world.