TLG has faced unimaginable obstacles and challenges this year. In March, WA’s regional borders closed, preventing TLG from running its winter Rural Program in June and July for the first time ever. When borders reopened in June, we were more excited and determined than ever to deliver the summer Rural Program to 26 WA schools between 21 November and 6 December.

Cate and Bridget at the Saracen Minerals Thunderbox minesite.

An incredible part of my job is the opportunities I get to visit rural and remote WA communities and seeing the impact of TLG’s programs for myself. It is always heartwarming engaging with local stakeholders and hearing about the positive effects TLG and our incredible volunteers have had on the students and the community.

When Bridget and I flew to Leonora, courtesy of Saracen Minerals, on the 25th of November, it was crazy to think we hadn’t visited our partner schools in almost one year. Whilst there, we visited the Saracen Minerals mine site, located about one hour north of Leonora, where we received a tour from General Manager, Peter Ganza, and learnt about the gold mining and refining process. Following our tour, we stopped by the TLG Rural Program in progress at Leonora District High School. It was fantastic seeing all the happy faces using their creativity and problem solving skills to create marble runs, a common STEAM activity run by our tutors. Despite the 42 degree heat, we enjoyed exploring the community, meeting locals and seeing firsthand the positive impact TLG makes.

Fast forward to Week 2 of the Rural Program, and Bridget and I set off for a road trip, joined by volunteer photographer Felix King. On the itinerary was Geraldton, Mullewa, Yalgoo and Mount Magnet in the Mid-West as well as schools Bridget and I were yet to visit since joining TLG.

We usually choose a cluster of schools close to each other to venture out to. Whilst there we enjoy speaking with school staff, capturing photos of tutoring and mentoring in progress and sometimes we stay overnight with the volunteer tutors. Of course, it is essential to try as many bakeries as possible along the way for caffeine, pies and jam doughnuts. As was the Original Broadway Hamilton Soundtrack this road trip.

Cate and Bridget at Rangeway Primary School. Photo credit: Felix King Photography.

In Geraldton, we stopped by Rangeway Primary School and visited the group of 17 volunteers after school on their first day of tutoring. Spirits were high and we heard stories of defeat and success, and how their game plans would change as they set about lesson planning for the next day. We met with the principal who praised the group of volunteers and program and let us know that WA’s biggest celebrity Mark McGowan would be stopping by the following day for a meet and greet that we’d unfortunately miss. That night we attended a meeting with the Rotary of the Batavia Coast and met the selfless and supportive rotarians who volunteer their time every program to source buses and drive our volunteers inland from Geraldton to their schools. The Rotary of the Batavia Coast members have been doing this for several years and it was marvellous to finally get to meet them in person.

As we headed inland, day 2 included visits to Mullewa District High School and Yalgoo Primary School.

Our stop at Mullewa DHS was a sight to behold. The school was adorned with beautiful murals. It was a picturesque backdrop to the scene of tutors and students playing sport together at recess, engaging in maths activities and bonding with each other.

Bridget and Cate with Mullews DHS Coordinators Gwynneth and Mitchell. Photo credit: Felix King Photography.

With a population of roughly 150, Yalgoo was the smallest township we visited. This program was also a particularly remarkable program. 5 of the volunteers had recently completed the eMentor program with Yalgoo Primary School and were lucky enough to be provided with the opportunity to meet their students in person. We arrived at lunchtime to a warm welcome from the school’s teaching staff. Moving to the playground, we were surrounded by volunteers and students playing. It was especially uplifting to see real, meaningful connections forming between the volunteers and students, moments that were very special to capture.

Our last stop was Mount Magnet District High School. We arrived after school and joined the volunteers at the local playing fields which were crowded with students. The cool evening weather made it perfect for the students to run around barefoot on the bitumen. The time and energy the volunteers spend outside of school building positive relationships with students to improve their confidence and resilience is unbelievable. We were so impressed with their passion, determination and ability to cope with the high intensity environment, particularly those with no education or teaching background.

Before we left, we spoke with a young social worker who had been in Mount Magnet for about 7 months. He was a truly inspiring man, who dedicated a significant number of additional hours outside of his day job almost every evening and weekend to building his connections with the students as much as possible. It just goes to show the care and support that many people who live and work rurally put in to help support these students so that they’ll hopefully finish school and reach their full potential. After a long day, we stayed with the Mount Magnet Rural Program volunteers at the Caravan Park, a recent post-COVID-19 change to their accommodation.

The following day, one of the teachers shared with us a truly heartwarming story. They explained to us the struggles of a particular student, who lacked positive male role models in his life, to connect with people who wouldn’t be in his life for long. However, contrary to their typical behaviour, the student had already remembered their tutor’s name by the end of day 2 and was excited for a third day with them. . To hear students were opening up to new relationships and improving their outcomes as a result showed us that the volunteers were achieving what TLG was designed to do.

Ultimately, we are so grateful to be living in WA and continuing to do what we do. We are also in awe of the incredible teachers and other professionals working in rural and remote communities, who make it their mission to support these students, both in and out of school. It takes a level of resilience, perseverance, and passion that we hope to foster in TLG’s volunteers and community.

Written by Cate Leedman, edited by Renee Nguyen.

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