GPSN’s Inaugural Cultural Immersion Camp
Giinagay! Welcome to Yarrawarra, in the homelands of the Garby Elders and the Gumbaynggirr people.
The first Indigenous Cultural Immersion Trip was held at Yarrawarra and led by Alex, from the GPSN Working Group, and Lucy, in her own community at Corindi Beach on the NSW North Coast.
Surrounded by tranquil bushland, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife in Corindi Beach, students had the opportunity to participate in bush tucker and medicine walks led by Uncle Milton, an Aboriginal art workshop, and a range of other activities.
One student noted the variety and uniquity of the Immersion.
“It was really interesting, fun, and eye-opening. I have not only learnt a lot more about Aboriginal food, but GPs in rural areas and how different and diverse their work is from metropolitan GPs,” they said.
Participants heard from Lucy and a few local elders about the local Indigenoues stories and culture, and also enjoyed activities such as clay modelling and dance workshops and damper baking.
“Instead of a regular, faculty-run trip, this was an experience where you could actually immerse yourself, in this case in the culture of the peoples of Gumbaynggirr Country,” said one participant.
The enthusiastic sentiment was shared throughout the whole group.
“This was amazing! To see a different perspective on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture made for an incredible experience overall,” said another member.
Thank you to our Gold Sponsor RACGP who also provided our last presenter, Dr Ashlea Broomfield, who shared her journey of becoming a GP and the enormous opportunity it has provided her in her life, and all other rural GPs who attended and shared their experiences with us.
This event was run with the support of our sponsors:
