The Girls from Kowanyama

Kowanyama means ‘place of many waters’ in the Yir Yoront language. In the Barumggam language, Toowoomba means ‘the swamp’. Two places 2100km apart, but both mean home to five of our Boarders. 

A group of girls gathers in Daisy Culpin Courtyard getting ready for dinner in the Dining Hall. 

On the menu tonight is Butter Chicken, a favourite amongst the Boarders. ‘I love Joe’s Butter Chicken!’ says Janae Mango.

Janae, along with Tilayla and Tisharni, Josiah and Kayla and Yas Daniel- Stafford, hail from Kowanyama – 28 hours and 2100km away. 

Distance means there are no visits home during the school term. And, whilst the girls each have their own stories and backgrounds, they are united in the common experience of being away from their families. 

They have learned to navigate the challenges of school life and homesickness, and in doing so have forged new friendships and discovered their own strengths. 

They have come to realise that this far-off place – the Fairholme Boarding House – has become their home away from home, a place where they belong.

As the term is drawing to a close, the girls are getting excited about going home. 

Kayla can’t wait to sleep in her own bed, Yas is looking forward to waking up whenever she wants, Tisharni is excited to see her family and pets, while Janae and Tiayla are both planning on fishing and camping.

‘I can’t wait to eat the salty plums from home, seeing my family, just being in the bush, being able to go camping and fishing. 

Just all the normal stuff from home,’ Tilayla says. 

Acting Deputy Head of Boarding, Mrs Kylie Wallis, said, ‘like many of our boarders, the girls fom Kowanyama struggled with being away from home, missing the familiarity of their community and the comfort of being surrounded by family and friends. 

However, over time, the girls began to form close bonds with their fellow students and the staff at the Boarding House, creating a sense of community and belonging that helped to ease their homesickness.’

Yas and Kayla shared their experiences of adjusting to Boarding School. Yas initially found missing her family and her community difficult. However, over time, she began to form great friendships, participating in activities like sport and art that helped her feel more connected to her new environment. ‘I still miss home,’ Yas says, ‘but I also love my friends here and all the things we do together.

Plus, my sister is here, so when I get really homesick, I go and hang out with her.’

Similarly, Kayla missed the landscape of her community. ‘I miss seeing the stars at night and going to the river near our community,’ she says. ‘But now I’ve made friends here, and my sister is here, so when I feel like I am missing my home, I go and see her or I go for a walk outside with my friends.’

As the term comes to an end, they are excited to return home, but also grateful for the experiences and if homesickness kicks in, the girls find busying themselves in the plethora of activities in the Boarding House helps. 

Every weekend, there are craft afternoons, excursions, sporting opportunities and a host of other activities the girls can participate in.

The Fairholme Boarding House has become a place where these girls feel a sense of belonging, and they have learned to overcome homesickness by forming strong bonds with their fellow students and staff.

From Fairholme to their Kowanyama home, one thing is for sure – the girls are looking forward to seeing their family and friends these Easter holidays.