About a month ago, Geoff was lucky enough to be invited to Coffs Harbour to join some of Clontarf's other private partners on an experience to showcase the work Clontarf does in its academies.
The experience gave Geoff and the group a great understanding of the impact Clontarf has on not only the boys in their academies, but the schools, families and the community as a whole. The staff at Clontarf have an incredible passion for the work they are doing and genuinely changing lives. As the group met and interacted with the boys, they got to see the progression of when they enter the academy, to the young men they become once they are ready to leave the academy. They also got to see staff and the boys in their environment and see what is in place to help the boys be the best version of themselves, so they are set up for success!
Here is a look at how the four days unfolded.
Day one: dinner and introductions
The group landed in sunny Coffs Harbour and went straight to dinner for introductions and shared stories with the other partners, Clontarf leadership and local staff, the Principal of Orara High School, three Clontarf alumni who had graduated last year, and the aunty of one of the boys, who had housed another boy from the academy.
Day two: beach, school and campfire
The day started early with a bus trip to pick up the boys from their houses, then it was off to the beach for morning footy training and a BBQ breakfast with the academy staff and boys. After a quick coffee and a pack of the bags, the group got back on the bus to South Grafton High School, where they met the principal and headed to the academy room. They spent time with the boys during morning break, then two of the boys gave them a tour of the room, one of whom had just been elected school captain for next year. The group also heard from the academy staff, a recent alumnus and his employer from Woolworths.
After lunch at the school cafe with the principal and two of the academy boys, the group collected their camping packs and travelled out to Cangai Campground. The boys greeted them when they arrived, and each partner was assigned a boy to help them get set up. They boys helped Geoff and the others get their swags ready, then everyone headed down to the river for a swim and some turtle catching. Back at camp, the boys and staff started preparing dinner while the partners mingled and passed the footy around. Dinner was a choice of carbonara, curried sausages, or a beef stew cooked on the bonfire. Afterwards, the group went around the fire to share the highlights of their day, played a round of charades and heard a couple of campfire stories before bed.
Day three: canoes, a hike and a plaque
Day three was another early start. Each partner was paired with a boy and jumped into a canoe for a lovely paddle down the river, soaking in the scenery, watching the wildlife, and catching up with the boy they were partnered with. After packing up the canoes, the group took a short drive into the mountains for a hike. Lunch was all set up near the buses when they finished, all the boys presented their partners with a small plaque and shared what they had learned about them. Then it was back on the bus to Coffs Harbour, where the group checked in at the hotel and met with the Clontarf leaders for a short conference to discuss the program and their experience.
Day four: goodbyes
The group packed up, said their goodbyes and final messages, then headed to the airport and flew back to Melbourne.
What stayed with Geoff?
"Getting to see the program in action has had a lasting effect on me," Geoff said. "I am extremely impressed with the work they do and incredibly proud to be a part of an organisation that partners with Clontarf!"
You can read more about the experience in the article Clontarf posted.
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