We have set up camp
in the Home Ec. room and started the program with a Sunday spent introducing
ourselves around town as well as reacquainting with friends from previous trips.
Although, for Caitlin and I, every face and name was a new one. We started out
along the top side of town with the aim of doing a loop around which would
canvas the majority of houses and families. Rita was a great help given her
impressive retention of names from her last visit: at most front yards she was
able to give a cheery ‘hello’ and inquire after at least of couple of people
whom she knew to live there. Eventually, we reached the Riley mob towards the
end of our circuit where the warmest welcome of all awaited. We chatted with
Robin et al. (to mention more names here would take up several lines)
right up to lunch time until eventually we excused ourselves, though we were
invited to later return for a trip to the billabong. Having said that, several kids
and twenty-something year olds came back to the school with us just to chill
and we spent the afternoon with Abraham, Mickayla, Nadia, Reed and Berome.
After a couple of
hours of organizing for the ensuing first day of activities we headed back down
to find Robin and two family members working on the Ford which had gone without
oil for too long causing the engine to seize up {side note to RAJB, please check
my oil}. Robin took us along to the billabong and then on to the old footy
field beyond, which had reputedly seen several past Aussie Rules footy glories
for the Minyerri Tigers. Impressively, Robin was also able to tell us much about
the area, throughout what proved to be a leisurely stroll in the late afternoon
heat.
The footy field
itself was a sight to behold. While only one set of goal posts remained, as the
others had been moved to the new field closer to town, the shape of the oval was
still apparent. Unfortunately, Robin couldn’t recall the exact distance between
goal posts; though I sincerely suggested that it may well have surpassed that of
the MCG. As we did an about turn, on the horizon came some movement in our
direction. The ever-faithful drove of Riley pigs was making its way along the
road to catch up to their beloved Robin. I should point out that we were at
least a kilometre or two from home and they had not left when we did. There is truly
something to be said for pigs as the veritable ‘man’s best friend’, as well has
their impressive snouts.
Once home, we enjoyed
our dinner in the ever-amicable company of School Principal Alan and his two
daughters: Molly and Joanna. Needless to say, after such a sociable day we have
spent a number of hours tonight doing further planning are now rather excited
for our first day of activities.
Jim.
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