Archives for April 2014 | Nan's Lucky Duck

Teaching Australia’s True History to Young People

Many people are willing to admit they’re ‘bad with names’. Whilst I’m not too shabby in that regard, I have to confess, I am absolutely pathetic at remembering historical dates. When was World War 2? No idea. What year did Bert Newton retire from Good Morning Australia? No idea (although I was so...

What is Machado-Joseph Disease and How is it Caused?

‘Groote Eylandt Syndrome’. The first time I came across this term, I thought it was referring to the relaxed state of the people living here and their innate love for all things outdoors. However, luckily before I adopted this term as a way of describing how much I loved my new lifestyle, I learned...

Adapting to Life on Groote Eylandt

As I pedalled my clunky 70s Repco bike up the hill towards the Dugong Beach Resort, a wallaby bounced along only metres beside me. We stopped suddenly, turned and faced one another with caution and questioned who was following who. The wallaby quickly decided the risk was too great to find out, and bounced...

Missionaries, Monetaries & Misfits Living on Groote Eylandt

“What do you do?” is the standard (almost obligatory) question you ask upon meeting someone in Melbourne, despite whether you’re actually interested in listening to the answer. Often, awkward questions follow such as “What is that exactly?” or “So, do you enjoy it?” until a socially acceptable amount of time has passed and you...

My New Home: Alyangula on Groote Eylandt

The weather is warm and sticky and I couldn’t be happier. I departed cloudy Melbourne at 8:30am and arrived in Groote Eylandt nine hours later. Alyangula is confined to a small area west of the island and after driving around for five minutes, I’d travelled down most streets in both directions. This is the...

Leaving Melbourne to Teach on a Remote Island

These photos were taken during my last weekend as a Melbourne resident. Friends gathered to say goodbye and wish us well on our adventure ahead. Whilst we all said our goodbyes, it was, and still is hard to imagine not seeing them face-to-face for the remainder of the year. Whilst I am sad to...

Aboriginal Artefacts Teaching Resource For Primary Students

The moving van is well and truly on its way to Groote Eylandt . Can you find and name the Indigenous artifacts packed amongst our belongings? Hint: there are 12 objects to find! WARNING: The answer sheet is just below the activity sheet. Could you find all 12? Check your answers below and find out...

Monthly: April 2014