Swapping high heat, humidity and footies for below zero cold, blizzards and snowboards, 10 boys from Yarrabah (Cairns, QLD) and Yirrkala (NT) academies headed south to the Victorian ski resort of Mount Buller for a reward trip in August.
The visit was made possible thanks to Clontarf partner BOQ and supporter Mt Buller who invited the boys to attend the week-long trip in reward for their exceptional school attendance and behaviour in class.
It was the boys’ first time seeing snow and while they initially found navigating the slippery slopes challenging, they quickly found their feet and were carving tracks in the soft powder next to even the most veteran of boarders.
Clontarf Foundation GM of Partnerships and Communications Shane Kiely joined the boys on the slopes and was humbled by the joy the young men expressed.
“This incredible experience will stay in the minds of these boys forever and they’ll share their stories with their peers, family members and friends,” he said.
“Their eyes have been opened up to what can be achieved and enjoyed by completing school and I could tell by the bright smiles on their faces that this is something they want to do again. Now they’re primed to work hard for it at school.”
The Clontarf Foundation would like to thank BOQ and Mt Buller for providing this once-in-a-lifetime experience for these young men.
Photos: Tony Harrington/Mt Buller
