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Telfer pool treat for Punmu kids
A hot day in Telfer saw some very eager Punmu
children's eyes light up when they finally reached the
big blue swimming pool at the Telfer Village.
Some of the children, aged from 4 to 7 years, were
experiencing a swimming pool for the first time in their
lives, and water confidence was bound to be put to the
test.
With safety rules put in place, the kids couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they introduced
their tiny toes to the cool water for the first time.
Surrounding them were support staff from Punmu's RAWA School, and Ngurra Kujungka ISDO's
Callan Hatchman and Ebony Humble.
In fact, support staff numbers
almost
outweighed
the
number of kids, and they too
lacked no enthusiasm for
getting wet and escaping the
Western Desert heat.
With splashing in abundance,
the youngsters in their own
good time grew in confidence
in attempting to swim short
distances between adults.
Some kids found fun in
blowing bubbles and learning
to dunk their faces underwater,
while others found comfort in
floating on pool noodles and
kick boards.
A few mini-skills were practised, including becoming comfortable while submerged underwater,
learning to float on their backs, and practising the common freestyle stroke. As lunch time arrived,
it only took the appearance of an approaching Callan carrying trays of food to the tables to attract
the attention of all the swimmers. The delicious sandwiches and vegetables, thanks to Telfer's ESS
staff, kept the kids silent for the first time that day.
After letting their food settle and a quick kick of the footy in the grassed area, the young visitors
were back in to the water, soaking up as much of their remaining swimming time as possible.
After an ice cream cone treat,
the youngsters were soon
aboard the school bus and
heading back to Punmu. “It is
such a pleasure having the
RAWA School on site,” said
Ebony. “We tend to take
swimming in pools for granted,
so it was very special to be
present when the younger kids
were experiencing this for the
first time. I look forward to seeing
how much their confidence and
abilities progress.”
Top photo: the children are told
safety rules. Middle and right
photos: Pool fun for all.
First Punmu Sport and
Recreation Officer
appointed
B R A D L E Y A L L E N has been
appointed Ngurra Kujungka's first
Sport and Recreation Officer at
Punmu.
Bradley's role involves delivering
on-going sport and recreation
activities to children and adults in
the Punmu community.
Ngurra Kujungka worked in
consultation with the Punmu
community and RAWA school on
the structure of the role, and
activities will be delivered before
and after school, and during
school working in consultation
with the school's curriculum.
The before-school activities will
be delivered within the school
grounds alongside the school's
breakfast program. The program
is expected to also assist in
improving school attendance.
Allen is the third Recreation
Officer
appointed
to
the
organisation
following
the
appointments of Annabell Landy
and Shaun Peterson in Nullagine.
The ability to appoint Recreation
Officers is due to the funding
provided by the Department of
the Prime Minister and Cabinet
through the Indigenous Sport and
Active Recreation Program.
Nullagine kids welcome
sports team’s focus
Ngurra Kujungka Program Manager Dan Barnes and
Development Officer Ebony Humble were warmly greeted as
they arrived at the Nullagine and Irrungadji community in late
October to deliver sport and recreation activities.
After meeting with locally-based Recreation Officers Shaun
Peterson and Annabell Landy, an evening basketball game was
soon underway, with Shaun taking charge, umpiring the game.
With the kids showing off their lay-ups and trying their hardest to score 3 pointers it was a close game
between the blue and green bibbed teams. As the night approached, the game was wrapped up.
However, the kids were excited to know that the Ngurra Kujungka staff would be running sport at the
Nullagine School the following morning.
An early start was planned to avoid
the Nullagine heat, but by lunch the day was a sticky 42 degrees. The hot
weather didn't stop the kids participating in softball clinics, though regular
drinks breaks were required.
The young primary school kids were the first to brighten up the day, walking
along holding hands and singing as they made their way down to the
grassed area.
With big smiles, each wearing a hat, and having plenty of water to drink, the
little sport enthusiasts tested out the new softball equipment. Fun games
including scarecrow tag, rob the nest, throwing competitions and a game of
tee ball left them exhausted but excited to show off the colourful 'smarter
than smoking' bags they received at recess.
Next came the middle primary school aged kids, equally eager to get straight
in to games. With a long throw challenge focusing on throwing and catching
skills the kid's confidence using a soft core softball saw some very
impressive techniques.
Leader ball and roller ball were big hits as always, together with a game of dodge softball. The older kids followed with a game of soccer
softball to capture the interest of most of the boys' class. Later, all classes joined in a game of softball with the tee brought out for the younger
kids. The all-in game was a great finish to the morning's softball clinics.
Special thanks must go to Ngurra Kujungka Recreation Officers Shaun Peterson and Annabell Landy for their help, along with sport teacher
Emma Dawson and Principal Shannon Simpson at Nullagine Primary School. They always make visiting the school an absolute pleasure.
Sports Day fun at Telfer
Staff and students from Punmu's Rawa School travelled to
Telfer in September for a day of sport and recreation. The
children were thankful for the opportunity to utilise the
impressive facilities available at Telfer.
The day started with golf at the driving range. The high school
kids showed their ability at driving the ball and aiming as far
as the Telecom tower at the opposite end of the range.
Unfortunately, not even the teachers could quite hit the golf
ball that far, though they definitely gave it their good shot!
A friendly game of 'hit and run' cricket followed, with the girls
more than happy to bat against the boys who were bowling
and fielding
It wasn't long before the boys discovered Telfer's grassed
football oval, and made good use of it.
They competed enthusiastically in taking the best mark or
kicking the longest goal. A game of 'king of the pack' was
played with kids leaping into the air to take a great mark,
followed by a snap-shot on goal to show off their talent.
With the day heating up, the kids were eager to get wet in Telfer's refreshing swimming pool, and they enjoyed an afternoon of swimming
races, handstand competitions, and splashing each other.
The Rawa School visits to Telfer are a regular feature of the school's swimming program.