Day 4 - Dauan Adventures

After such an amazing day before being shown the beauty of Saibai we were extremely optimistic about our trip to Dauan.  There were many current students, prospective students and ex-students that we were excited to see.  We had a late morning start due to the tide but eventually made our way to the waterfront gizibos waiting for our pick up.  Perhaps, it was more our eagerness to get there but late morning turned into mid-morning til lunch time as we waited for our pick up.  Finally, though just after lunch you could see this boat coming around the corner like a bullet piercing the water.  Our ride finally arrived and you could immediately see our happiness pick up again.  Needless to say I jokingly gave it to Kearney when he got here about running on island time.  It is great to catch up with past students and Kearney Binawel (2009 senior) is no exception.

After Kearney had dropped off a few supplies he had us over Dauan in no time.  As we arrived at Dauan it was easy noticeable to see the difference.  Saibai is a mud flat island with mangroves whereas Dauan is more of a tropical island with sandy white beaches and clearer water.  However, the first thing that you notice as you step off the boat are these ginormous boulders all over the island and even down near the water.  In a previous life Dauan Island was one of the last peeks of the Great Dividing Range. 

After signing in at the council office we were looking to embark on a journey through Dauan village.  Deb had previously rung Allan Bigie but no answer.  The receptionist in the office rang for Samukie but he was too busy to come down.  Relectuntly, Tabipa Mau came to the rescue as tour guide.  It seemed the students didn't want us there, but I can't understand why.  Fortunately, the old boys were the different.  Kearney had called another old boy Dawson Mau (senior 2008) who came down with his mother and some prospective students.  Deb enjoyed catching up with Margaret (Dawson's mum) and we all enjoyed catching up with Dawson.  As I'd gone off exploring with Tabipa and some of the locals I'd missed Dawson's triumphant arrival however, I'm told he's said, "Where's Wally!" as I walked around the corner.  

There were lots of continued catch ups with Dawson and Kearney throughout the afternoon.  Kearney kindly took us for a tour in the company car around Dauan Island.  From one end of the island to the other we drove past houses the many past and current students from the island.  We looked at the power station, helicopter pad, the tip, footy field and heartbreak hill.  Although, Kearney proudly told us that Dauan's hill was worse than St Brendan's.  As we had talked to most parents and students our last activity was to locate the elusive Allan Bigie.  It's an island so it can't be that hard.  I had previously gone to his house with Samukie and Tabipa.  Samukie knocked on his window but no answer, he then asked the little sister who called out but he had just left.  This time I took reinforcements (Deb, Cathy and Sue) to locate Allan.  This time we were greeted by mum who also told us Allan was here but he just went off with his cousins at grandmas place.  Went past a number houses and still no Allan.  Anae (Allan's mum) had said he was home before but asked who was there at the door.  She had said to him, "Samukie, Tabipa and some light skin fella". Anae said Allan took off after that!  Finally, we cornered him at the shop as he was about to get in the car and drive off with cousins.  His mother and little sisters yelling out to him and these four people who sees at school ruining his holidays, he must have thought he was Harrison Ford in The Fugitive.  Allan succumbed to the pursuit and like paparazzi we took photo after photo with him and the rest of the cast. 

Kearney Binawel & Dawson Mau doing a tribute to their coach Mr Hansen.

As the weather picked up we decided it was time to be off back to Saibai.  We reluctantly said our goodbyes to Dauan Island, Kearney and Dawson. Our skipper Kearney readied the boat aided by his first mate Lincoln (who will be starting at SBC in 2015) they took us back to Saibai. The ride was a little bumpy, not for the feint hearted but exciting! Twenty short minutes later we were back on Saibai. 

Kearney and Dawson were absolutely amazing to us today. It was such a privilege to see how Kearney has grown from the little island boy into the confident Constable K. Binawel and Dawson as a reservist regularly shipping out for training with the army. They are great role models for Torres Strait Island students at St Brendan's.