NRL Cowboys House boarding students from some of Queensland’s most remote communities enjoyed a special ‘Big Day Out’ focused on water safety on picturesque Magnetic Island. This memorable event was made possible through the generous support of SeaLink.
30 students from the House travelled from the mainland to Magnetic Island aboard the SeaLink ferry. Once there, they connected with the Arcadian Surf Lifesaving Club to learn water safety and experience surf lifesaving through drills such as wades, flag races and beach sprints.
The ASLSC team taught students the skills and techniques required to patrol the beaches while the Youth All Girls Patrol Team demonstrated a rescue scenario in Alma Bay, showcasing the practical aspects of lifesaving.
SeaLink North Queensland General Manager Darren Spearman said the opportunity to share the rich Magnetic Island surf lifesaving experience with NRL Cowboys House students builds on an already strong partnership with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.
“SeaLink hopes this big day out on Magnetic Island for NRL Cowboys House gives students the opportunity to have more confidence in and around the water,” he said.
“We are proud to have been supporting the Arcadian Surf Lifesaving Club since 2012 and have always transported the Arcadian Surf Lifesaving Club members to Magnetic Island to patrol the beach at Alma Bay. Sponsoring NRL Cowboys House’s travel and the event was only a natural stepping stone in the support of the club.
“Each year, SeaLink donates to a variety of worthy causes and organisations that align with our values and have such a positive impact on our immediate local community.
“Our SeaLink team were thrilled to volunteer their time to cook a tasty BBQ lunch for the NRL House students, North Queensland Cowboys and the Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club members, it was very rewarding for us all.”
The day’s activities were an introductory taste in developing surf lifesaving skills, teaching students fast response times and techniques to navigate changing conditions.
Students were joined on the day by Cowboys NRLW player Lily Peacock and NRL Cowboys House player ambassador Tahlulah Tillett.
Arcadian Surf Lifesaving Club Cadet and Youth Development Officer Linda Murray said it was important to broaden the understanding of what they offer in the community.
“Every person who visits the ocean should be safe, they need to know the dangers there, and unfortunately for us in the North we have some very unique dangers,” she said.
“What we really want to do is promote safe swimming, recognising the dangers of your environment and where possible, swim between the red and yellow flags.
“If I had my way, we’d have a few of these kids come and join our club because they’re fast, they have natural skills and they have a great willingness to just give everything a crack, and that makes days like today so worthwhile.”
The opportunity for House students to travel to Magnetic Island for the event is an extension of SeaLink’s ongoing support of the Cowboys.
SeaLink also supports the Cowboys Obe Geia Challenge, an annual school rugby league carnival that brings together Townsville and Palm Island schools to build and foster relationships and inclusion.
NRL Cowboys House provides supported accommodation for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from some of northern Queensland’s most remote and educationally disadvantaged communities.
Managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, the charity arm of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, NRL Cowboys House is a purpose-designed and culturally respectful facility providing life-changing education opportunities for students attending secondary school in Townsville.
NRL Cowboys House General Manager Rochelle Jones said many House students have familiarity or connection to the ocean both at home and while in boarding.
“We have boarding students from a range of remote communities both inland and coastal, but also through the Torres Strait Islands where connection to the water is an important part of daily life,” she said.
“It’s vitally important that our kids not only know the dangers of the ocean, but can also respond quickly and appropriately to any changing situations they may find themselves in.
“This opportunity for 30 of our students to travel to Magnetic Island and learn firsthand these skills was not only a fantastic reward and incentive for a great year in boarding, but also a chance to learn skills for life.”
