Identical twins William and Jacob Mareko face off in a beach sprint
A group of Indigenous secondary school students from some of Australia’s most remote communities, including two sets of identical twins, have experienced a day as a surf life saver, thanks to SeaLink North Queensland.
Around 30 NRL Cowboys House boarders travelled to Magnetic Island aboard the SeaLink ferry as part of the annual outing to take part in water safety lessons, drills and games led by the Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club (ASLSC).
SeaLink North Queensland General Manager Darren Spearman said the event has become a highlight for the team.
“This has become an occasion the SeaLink team looks forward to every year. The Cowboys Community Foundation, through programs like NRL Cowboys House, does a fantastic job delivering life-changing programs in the community,” Mr Spearman shared.
“It was wonderful to see these young students learning, having fun in the water and enjoying a BBQ lunch with our team members.
"We also have a long-standing relationship with the Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club, and this annual event recognises the brilliant work they do, volunteering their time to keep us safe while we enjoy our beaches.”
Managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, NRL Cowboys House provides a home away from home for the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to attend secondary school in Townsville.
Its award-winning wraparound model delivers social, cultural, education, and career transition programs to support them through high school, and on to meaningful employment or further education. The annual Magnetic Island trip is a reward for students who have been making exceptional efforts in their schoolwork, extra-curricular activities or personal growth.
Ranging from years 7-12, the boarders were educated about how to enjoy a day on the beach safely as well as put through their paces by some up-and-coming surf life savers.
ASLSC’s Linda Murray said there are many benefits for a young person joining a surf lifesaving club.
“Our job is to make sure the community can enjoy a visit to the beach and make it home safely, so it was fantastic to share some of our knowledge and skills,” she said.
“Boosting diversity in life saving is one of our goals at ASLSC so our collaboration with SeaLink and NRL Cowboys House is a brilliant way to broaden knowledge of what we do.
“We did beach sprints, flag races, practised running through the water and even had a close-up look at our rescue jet ski. On top of beach rescues, lifesaving is also a sport, and these kids are extremely athletic and clearly competitive, the twin verse twin rivalries were wonderful to watch.”
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said many House students have strong links to the ocean.
“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.
"We’re extremely grateful for the support of SeaLink, this opportunity was not only a fantastic reward and incentive for a great year in boarding, but also a chance to learn skills for life.”
Find more information on how to support Cowboys Community Foundation initiatives here.
