Last week, ten Woolgoolga High School girls in Years 8 to 10 attended an Aboriginal girls’ leadership camp, held by Mission Australia.
The camp was run over four jam-packed days in Scotts Head and was attended by Woolgoolga, Coffs, Toormina and Orara High School students. The girls did a range of leadership-building workshops and activities.
They faced their fears with a flying fox and tree-top rope climbing course, went surfing in the rain and had the chance to do some traditional dancing. They had journal writing and beauty workshops, along with some confronting sessions about bullying, self-reflection, social media and the dangers of tobacco and drug use.
They learned more about culture, values and identity from strong Aboriginal women, including Aunty Bea Ballangarry. The girls gained many tools that will help them achieve their goals in future years, and they made new friendships and obtained a new confidence in themselves.
