With an emphasis on education as the key to helping to ‘close the gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, the group worked with the students and teachers at the Watarrka School, to record a music video for the school song which Gadens’ solicitor Michael Collins had written with the students on the firm’s first group visit in August 2012, in English and local language Luritja.

Over three days, the group from Gadens, consisting of Campbell Hudson, Roger Blow, Courtney Bowie, Lara Macalyk, Kylie Britton, James Foley, Edwina Stevens and Shelley Kaa, had the privilege of engaging with the teachers and students of the Watarrka School, to create the official video to be shared on the local Indigenous music program ‘VAMP TV’, a multimedia project that allows remote and regional communities to connect with each other.

The school song has helped to instill a sense of pride in the students in their school and their culture, to assist them in progressing through education.

The song highlights the “three great mobs” represented by the students of Lilla, Wanmarra and Ulpanyalli. The Watarrka School song video can be viewed here.

Commenting on the trip, Gadens partner Campbell Hudson said: “Gadens has been given a remarkable opportunity to make a difference to the lives of a small number of Aboriginal people, who live in a remote part of our country. We have an opportunity to show our heart and be inspired by 60,000 years of culture. The Lilla community are people who live in an environment with extreme challenges, and who inspire us with their remarkable resilience.”

Promoting the importance of education Campbell said: “Education is the key to closing the gap. This is a mutually beneficial experience. Students of the school benefit from the skills of our Gadens staff, and our staff are captivated by an experience that is life-changing in terms of their cultural awareness.”

With teachers Sonya and Raylene leading the students, the colourful classroom was brought to life with the group also listening to the students read and assisting them with an interactive learning assessment on the school’s iPad.

The students were thrilled to participate in a sports carnival during the group’s visit, with the Gadens team leading them in a cross country run, team relays and fun ball games, testing the fitness of all involved!

Solicitor Shelley Kaa shared her Indigenous Maori heritage and led the class with a lesson on Maori culture, followed by a cooking session, with the students working in groups to follow a recipe to cook traditional kiwi bread.

The visit also continues Gadens’ partnership with Reg Ramsden of Remote Education Tours, who plays a key role in connecting the three remote communities and providing generous and ongoing support to their people and to the Watarrka School. Aboriginal Elder Keith Aitken, who also supports the local communities, hosted the group from Gadens with Remote Education Tours, sharing the ancient traditions and stories of the Aboriginal culture and their sacred land.

The group from Gadens also spent time with the Elders in the communities, to learn more about the challenges they face and how they can best be supported. The group visited a local farmer’s market in neighbouring community Wanmarra, just 15kms from Lilla, and have raised funds on their return to the firm, for fertiliser for a new crop of fresh vegetables, to provide income and fresh produce for the local communities.

Gadens’ partnership with CareerTrackers plays a key role in supporting the Lilla community and the Watarrka School. Andrew Veasey of CareerTrackers joined Gadens on the trip and will continue to work with the firm to support the teachers and students of the Watarrka School, and their communities. Earlier this year Gadens hosted a winter clothing appeal, donating 11 boxes of blankets and clothes to the Lilla and surrounding communities.