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Charting new territory in Charleville

Harry Stowe, Brad Everingham, William Weekes and Malcolm Hensley learn new skills. Photo courtesy of Jason Smith
SIXTEEN BOYS from Green Point Christian College on the Central Coast of New South Wales travelled to Charleville in
remote south-west Queensland in September to lend a helping hand to property owners in the area.

The trip, currently in its seventh year, aims to help property owners who have been doing it tough, in previous years
during the drought.

The group of specially selected Year 9 and 10 students was led by school Agriculture teacher Richard McKay and supervised by three other male leaders.

The team spent ten days on a number of large properties in the Charleville area from 16-26 September.

“We organise the trip to give the group what we hope will be the experience of a lifetime,” said Mr McKay.

“Our aim is to provide the boys with strong male role models and take them into environments which are unfamiliar.”

The team linked up with Frontier Services Patrol Minister Rev John Case.

“We drive to and from Charleville, camping on the way in stock reserves or camping grounds, and use this as a time for the boys to bond and enjoy their outback experience,” said Mr McKay.

“When we arrive, we link up with our host, Rev John Case, who is a local covering rural and remote parts of south-west
Queensland.”

Mr Case said the locals were thrilled to welcome the boys.

“The trip off ers opportunities for the boys to develop leadership skills and bridge the gap in their knowledge about people living in rural and remote Australia,” he said.

“This is a win-win situation because the boys get to see some amazing country, learn new skills, and develop a sense of what it is like to help others, with the support of some pretty special role models.”

Frontier Services is a major provider of aged care, health and community services, and pastoral support to people in remote and outback Australia.

Photo : Harry Stowe, Brad Everingham, William Weekes and Malcolm Hensley learn new skills. Photo courtesy of Jason Smith