Scotch College

Casey’s part in inspiring Tiwis project

A young Old Boy’s gap year in the Tiwi Islands is helping to make a $16 million project a reality.

Words: SHANE McNEICE

Melville and Bathurst Islands, some 65km north-east of Darwin, comprise the Tiwi Islands, which are renowned for their footy players – notably our own Riolis. A group of Scotch Year 10s visited the Tiwis at Easter.

With the help of Dr Robert Smith and Brian Clancy of the Tiwi Islands, 2007 leaver Casey McNeice was introduced to Peter MacNamara, principal of the newly founded Tiwi College, who was keen to have a Scotch boy as a volunteer.

Casey was enthused about what he could do as a volunteer to help progress the Tiwi College project, and on 15 January he set off for Melville Island. His mission was to do a gap year on a one-man unofficial volunteer program, lending a willing pair of hands to help the $16 million project to become a reality.

The aim of the federally funded project is to set up a school on land donated by the Tiwi Land Council, out in its own most attractive countryside. The site is extensive and there is a fast-flowing creek which cascades through a shaded waterhole – ideal for a swim after working in the heat. Luckily the flow over the cascade is too fast for the crocodiles!

’The land council is keen for the students to develop a strong basis of Western education’

Group homes holding 12 indigenous students and two house parents have been built. The students spend four nights a week in the group homes, looked after by the house parents. During the mornings they attend classes and in the afternoons do sports (football) and one hour’s school service. The land council is keen for the students to develop a strong basis of Western education to suit them for employment. As the students go home to Nguiu or Malakapiti for the balance of the week, their culture and Tiwi language skills are not affected.

Casey has learned to drive a variety of vehicles along bush tracks to the College’s airstrip and rubbish tip. He hopes to take his driving test with the Purlangimpi policeman in the near future, which should represent a saving on RACV driving lessons! His main job is to help Steve Taylor, who is the college’s master fixer and problem solver. Apart from the multiple ad hoc demands for their services, together they are restoring a former CSIRO nursery as well as clearing ground for a primary school for the teaching staff’s children. Steve reckons that Casey’s contribution is such that ‘he is worth feeding!’

Casey says he has acceptance from the students because he is near to them in age. There are reports that he has only to be walking by and the cry goes up ‘Casey, Casey!’

Most evening he goes down to spend time with the students at the group homes. Casey thinks that despite the hard labour in the heat, he is extremely lucky to be in at the start of such an inspiring project, and is most grateful to Peter MacNamara and Scotch for facilitating such an experience. He would warmly recommend the experience to anyone else who is willing to do it. GS