Connection, Culture and Community: 2025 Galiwin’ku Experience
Overnewton students and staff have experienced the extraordinary privilege of immersing themselves in the vibrant life, culture and community of Galiwin’ku during the 2025 Tour.
From the moment they touched down, they were welcomed with open arms by Shepherdson College, setting the tone for a week of deep intercultural learning and genuine connection. Whether exploring rock pools, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in class, or laughing around a beach bonfire, our students have embraced every opportunity with open hearts and minds.
Highlights have included a traditional smoking ceremony, being adopted into Yolŋu clans, tracking animals in the mangroves, pandanus weaving, language lessons, arts and PE, and joining the island-wide community fete. Evenings brought meals, movie nights, the “Toad Buster Challenge” and daily reflective sharing around growth, friendships and learnings.
Our students have shown courage, kindness and curiosity in every situation. From dancing on beaches to lending helping hands, they have truly leaned into the spirit of this unique experience.
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Marin Balluk people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which Overnewton Anglican Community College stands. We respect the knowledge that will be forever embedded within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country and remember the loss of cultures, languages and Lands they have endured. Like the Marin Balluk people, we at Overnewton want to respect the Land, the cultures and the heritages, and learn from those who have come before us in the passing on of knowledge and the teaching of life skills, as well as continue with wise stewardship of our buildings and grounds. We honour their custodianship of this Land and offer them our deep respect.