CEC Ms Karennes Report for Term 4

Can’t believe it’s week 4 of this term, it has been a very busy but fulfilling term as the school has seen the initial development of Stage 1 and 2 of the Yarning Circle. If I may I would like to share the rationale for this Project.

The concept of creating a Yarning Circle became a reality when Ports Corp Project Manager along with Juru Enterprises Project Manager, spoke about the pylons that had been retrieved when the Heritage Listed Jetty was being repaired.

During discussions about the NAIDOC Theme for 2021 which is Healing of Country, Julie and Jess discussed their ongoing involvement with the school. The discussion went to the NAIDOC theme of Healing, and before long we had a plan that would involve the use of some of the pylons as Totem Poles that we could set into a Yarning Circle.

Discussions progressed and soon we had the concept of creating a larger yarning circle, this would provide the school and soon discovered the wider community with a First Nation Yarning Circle Type. This would allow services in the community that sought a place that would allow for yarns and sometimes hard yarns to take place in more equitable surroundings. To date we have the Whitsunday Council, Children’s Services, Youth Justice and many more services that work with-in the Bowen Community who have committed to utilising the circle.

I would like to share with you some ideals that the Yarning Circle will provide. First this is not a Sacred Circle, it is not a Ceremonial Circle, it acknowledges that the Juru people are the Traditional Owners so will be identified as such. There will be a very large Mural that is being undertaken by a local Bowen Juru man along with complimentary Art work on the Totem Poles. This will in no way be a significant Juru site, we are paying our respects to the Owners of this land the Juru people.

For millennium’s more than 2,600 first nation peoples from countries around the world have used the Yarning Circle as a way of sharing stories, discussing issues, ways of knowing, learning and communicating. Who would have known that in the 21^st century researchers are now utilising and acknowledging this exchange is used for many methodologies and theories that support human development, social constructs and mindfulness.

I hope that this explains why we have chosen to utilise timbers that were cut at the same time as the timbers for our school, our First Nations peoples were brought to the brink of extinction, but we acknowledge that this has also been the case for other First Nation people. Healing of Country has allowed the school the opportunity to bring together natural resources that have been used since first contact in the 1860’s. The meaning is evident in that these 2 resources separated for over two centuries now together represent that healing for all peoples in the Bowen community has begun!

There has been much anticipation around the Circle’s construction, I am very proud of our students who have participated in designing and creating this beautiful space. There has been a few ulcers when we discovered that the ground was so uneven that it required the builder dedicate much more time to the initial stages of the construction than we anticipated.

We couldn’t not have completed this Stage 1 and 2, of the construction if not for the generosity of Pilchers.

Mr Geoff Pilcher attended a meeting in July where we proposed the initial construction plan, if Pilchers had not taken this project on, we would have been seriously at risk of not completing.

Pilchers/Hillary’s/Bowen Hardware/Pilchers Cement/Queensland Bulk Ports took on this Project without payment, I cannot express my gratitude for these kind gestures. This Project will remain for many more decades and is an acknowledgement of the Bowen communities’ awareness of this being a much needed addition to our school and community.

When discussing this stage of the construction, Geoff Pilchers advised that he could only give the Stage 1 and 2 a week to complete, as he had several constructions to commence. Despite this the Pilchers Team did not stop until the Stages were completed even when this involved after hours.

The time, dedication and professionalism of Pilchers and Hillary’s has been commented on by locals and visitors alike, who have shown keen interest in the Project. We as a school are indebted to Pilchers/Hillary’s/NQBP as the finished Stage 1 and 2 demonstrates the great work these local business have done on behalf of the school.

But there’s more, we as a school have been amazed at the willing donations from our local businesses such as Hillary’s that have provided without cost materials and manpower to the completion of this project. Bowen Hardware have also provided the timber for the ground work. Pilchers Mitre 10 provided all the cement to secure the pylons and build up the flagpoles and have promised to provide native trees and plants to enhance the area. North Queensland Bulk Ports have generously provided the school with funding, manpower and Crane Hire, Photography and 2021 Cowboys Jerseys to be auctioned. Whitsunday Mayor Mr Willcox, provided the funds to purchase 3 Flagpoles that represent our 2 First Nation Peoples. Businesses such as Live Life Pharmacy in Gregory Street, have donated funds towards the Circle. It was very satisfying to see every business that was approached was willing to support this project. It really encourages us all that this concept has been so accepted, the common theme from our Bowen Community is “well done we really need this”. There are many more names to add, and they will be suitably acknowledged by signage displayed around the Circle.

There is more to come and we will share this with you next Term. Please check out our Photo’s from the first Shovel to where we are now. Thank you again to the parents and families who purchased tickets in the Cowboys Jersey, your contribution has certainly added to the final stages of the project.

FYI we still have a Current Framed Cowboys Jersey that we will accept offers for, you can ring our Admin should you be interested in purchasing this sought after collector’s item.

Thank You

Karenne Williams CEC Bowen State School