Last sunny Friday, five of us — John, Zariel, Bill, Stephen and Astrida — had the privilege of visiting Birrigai Outdoor School to meet Aboriginal students from Queanbeyan High School who are participating in the Birrigai Program, Learning on Country and Learning from Country. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, historic policies and practices have resulted in disconnection from culture, country and identity. The Birrigai Program provides an opportunity for young people to reconnect, renew, repair, grow and be empowered through learning and connection with country. The program began about four years ago when 18 students from Years 7–10 were invited to participate, many of whom were at risk of disengaging, or had already disengaged, from school. Continued participation requires students to attend school for four days each week, with Fridays spent at Birrigai.We were privileged to meet around 16 students, together with two Indigenous rangers and teachers from both Queanbeyan High School and Birrigai Outdoor School. The program focuses on individual growth, team building, cultural knowledge and skills, communication and self-regulation. Students have also visited a range of significant local sites, including Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Theodore's grinding grooves, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, the National Museum of Australia and Jerrabomberra Wetlands. The results have been impressive, with increased school attendance, greater confidence and participation, improved self-regulation and a significant reduction in negative behaviours at school. What began as an opportunity for students to reconnect with culture has become a powerful pathway for personal growth and engagement with learning.Our visit gave us a wonderful glimpse into the program. We joined the students on a bushwalk, stopping along the way as they shared their knowledge of Aboriginal culture and traditional practices. We learned about making a coolamon, a kangaroo hunting spear, a boomerang and a fishing spear. We then walked up a fairly steep maintenance track to a significant cultural site, where the students explained how a well tree had been carefully shaped to catch and hold water near the top of the hill. One of the highlights of the day was a fiery grass tree burning demonstration — a fascinating example of traditional knowledge being shared and preserved. After making our way back down the hill, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch provided by the Birrigai staff.Our Rotary Club is delighted to be supporting the Birrigai Program this year, with funds already donated and the prospect of continuing that support into next year. Meeting the students and seeing their enthusiasm, knowledge and growing confidence brought home to us the importance of programs that connect young people with culture, country and community. It was great to spend a day learning from country and on country alongside these young people — and to see firsthand the difference that the Birrigai Program is making.

Astrida