First Term 2008

The new term started with kids missing flights. The airlines have been very generous allowing us to re-book.

The Federal electoral move into Nguiu was not good for morale and the older boys did not want to come back to school. So we had to replace John-Pierre, Wilfred and Bradley.

Following the visit last year, Tiwi Vinnies reps Eusebia and Noel thought it best to focus on younger kids, so they have longer exposure to Southern Education. So shepherded by Josetta who has been at Downlands for eighteen months, and Sheree who has had half a year, thirteen year olds Joanna and Jessiah, Noreen and John-Baptist came to Downlands.

The first assignment is to clothe the kids for the rigours of Toowoomba weather and to help them adjust to the regime of a Boarding School.

It is a big change for traditional aboriginal kids and they are to be admired.

Driving from the airport, the kids need the car heater up to what are Sauna Temperatures for me and anti-frost-bite for them. That's what happens when you move from the tropics!

If you would like to help fund this project, go to Vinnie's website: https://www.vinnies.org.au/show_appeal.cfm?table=appeals&parentid=0&id=43