Operation Flinda spent the weekend there as you know, and I caught up with some of the volunteers and you'll meet some of them in a minute, Abby and Libby. But a couple of teachers were there with their school, about ten kids, and they were two teachers who do it regularly, just the best you could hope for in teachers in state school, Sam and Steve.

Operation Flinda spent the weekend there as you know, and I caught up with some of the volunteers and you'll meet some of them in a minute, Abby and Libby. But a couple of teachers were there with their school, about ten kids, and they were two teachers who do it regularly, just the best you could hope for in teachers in state school, Sam and Steve.

And this is their story and why they're there.

And this is their story and why they're there.

So a couple of the teachers who are here with the kids from their school, let me ask them about their experiences so far. It's early on in the piece, a couple of days and they've got most of a week to go. How the kids been over the last couple of days.

So a couple of the teachers who are here with the kids from their school, let me ask them about their experiences so far. It's early on in the piece, a couple of days and they've got most of a week to go. How the kids been over the last couple of days.

I've been fairly painful, largely, Yeah, And now they've gone on noight that cooperating largely what we speculated. It's a bit of a shock the whole thing to them. And there's some rules and some roles so they have that are a bit confronting for them, but they know the Operation Flinders boys do it well and they fall into line with that pretty well.

I've been fairly painful, largely, Yeah, And now they've gone on noight that cooperating largely what we speculated. It's a bit of a shock the whole thing to them. And there's some rules and some roles so they have that are a bit confronting for them, but they know the Operation Flinders boys do it well and they fall into line with that pretty well.

What do you hope the kids come back to school with?

What do you hope the kids come back to school with?

Well, they come back to school with the experience that they've had here and the coping that they've enjoyed and experienced. But I think one of the key roles we have it's being people who validate what they've done, verify what they've done, encourage them in what they've done in the next couple of years, because they're largely tens and eleven, so they're here for another year and a half or two and a half years. And you know, nobody else at school can do that because that are all teachers who've been probably happy to see them out of the classroom for a week, and maybe they also have an expectation that when the kids come back from this, they're going to be all bright and shiny and all fixed up right, which is largely not what happens. But there's a lot of ongoing stuff. We were able to encourage them in, remind them, you know, what they've achieved, and build on that because we've got a relationship. We encourage them in their are other efforts to seek apprenticeships and do well at school or get on and whatever else they do. So see, what are you going.

Well, they come back to school with the experience that they've had here and the coping that they've enjoyed and experienced. But I think one of the key roles we have it's being people who validate what they've done, verify what they've done, encourage them in what they've done in the next couple of years, because they're largely tens and eleven, so they're here for another year and a half or two and a half years. And you know, nobody else at school can do that because that are all teachers who've been probably happy to see them out of the classroom for a week, and maybe they also have an expectation that when the kids come back from this, they're going to be all bright and shiny and all fixed up right, which is largely not what happens. But there's a lot of ongoing stuff. We were able to encourage them in, remind them, you know, what they've achieved, and build on that because we've got a relationship. We encourage them in their are other efforts to seek apprenticeships and do well at school or get on and whatever else they do. So see, what are you going.

To well succeeding with something like this, which is harsh and physically demanding and all that sort of stuff is one thing, but it's actually gaining the hope and the.

To well succeeding with something like this, which is harsh and physically demanding and all that sort of stuff is one thing, but it's actually gaining the hope and the.

Gaining trust with us, I guess, and trust with each other.

Gaining trust with us, I guess, and trust with each other.

And they've come from situations, well many of our kids come from situations in which they don't trust and they want to do things themselves and to put out trust and to rely on someone else. There's actually a reasonably difficult thing to do. And so out here they're starting to do that. And as time goes on, that mutual trust develops with the group and develops with us. That's relationship, and then that actually the ability to have that trust and to be successful gives some hope for the future.

And they've come from situations, well many of our kids come from situations in which they don't trust and they want to do things themselves and to put out trust and to rely on someone else. There's actually a reasonably difficult thing to do. And so out here they're starting to do that. And as time goes on, that mutual trust develops with the group and develops with us. That's relationship, and then that actually the ability to have that trust and to be successful gives some hope for the future.

So not only is there work cut out for them in the future, so it's yours because of the relationship you're forming here essentially.

So not only is there work cut out for them in the future, so it's yours because of the relationship you're forming here essentially.

Well, one of the things I wanted to mention is that Sam and I we've done it for a couple of years, and one of the really important things that we say to the kids after we come back, we have a chat with the guys and we say, if anything happens to you in the future, if there are any issues that you need someone to talk about. We've been through something that is really special. We've built this mutual trust and even after we've left school, after you've left school, if it's five years, ten years down the track, we're still there for you. If you really want to spend time, give us a ring.

Well, one of the things I wanted to mention is that Sam and I we've done it for a couple of years, and one of the really important things that we say to the kids after we come back, we have a chat with the guys and we say, if anything happens to you in the future, if there are any issues that you need someone to talk about. We've been through something that is really special. We've built this mutual trust and even after we've left school, after you've left school, if it's five years, ten years down the track, we're still there for you. If you really want to spend time, give us a ring.

We'll spend time with you. We'd love to. How good is that?

We'll spend time with you. We'd love to. How good is that?

So that's like value added to year twelve, and the guarantee continues.

So that's like value added to year twelve, and the guarantee continues.

Yeah, it's not just about being a teacher at school.

Yeah, it's not just about being a teacher at school.

It's about being a person who builds relationships and as a person that can be trusted, and it shows what authenticity and genuine genuineness is all about.

It's about being a person who builds relationships and as a person that can be trusted, and it shows what authenticity and genuine genuineness is all about.

Do you get that much?

Do you get that much?

Do you get kids from a decade ago getting in touch with you.

Do you get kids from a decade ago getting in touch with you.

We see kids a lot, but I haven't.

We see kids a lot, but I haven't.

I don't think either of us have had somebody ring us up and say, look, you know, I've got this really major issue in my life. But often they will see us in the in the barrier, they'll have a chat with us, they'll tell us how they're getting on, and yeah, that's really special to us because it's you know, we grow as well as the kids. It's not just about us being here to help them. We actually grow through the experience.

I don't think either of us have had somebody ring us up and say, look, you know, I've got this really major issue in my life. But often they will see us in the in the barrier, they'll have a chat with us, they'll tell us how they're getting on, and yeah, that's really special to us because it's you know, we grow as well as the kids. It's not just about us being here to help them. We actually grow through the experience.

Two of them coming on a snow trip we're doing out of the local church and they got to know them through Operation Flindos a few years ago. They're now out of school working apprenticeships and got jobs, and that contact has kept on when we're back at school because because of the relationship, kids are happy to lob in to our offices. I've got to toast you in my office. Kids come in and toast up their sandwiches when it's cold especially, and hang out and then they get chatting about stuff, and you know, they have We do be frank about all sorts of things like drugs and relationships and jobs and teachers and homework and stuff, and often we get the opportunity to be let in on those conversations and have something constructive to say and perhaps help them with.

Two of them coming on a snow trip we're doing out of the local church and they got to know them through Operation Flindos a few years ago. They're now out of school working apprenticeships and got jobs, and that contact has kept on when we're back at school because because of the relationship, kids are happy to lob in to our offices. I've got to toast you in my office. Kids come in and toast up their sandwiches when it's cold especially, and hang out and then they get chatting about stuff, and you know, they have We do be frank about all sorts of things like drugs and relationships and jobs and teachers and homework and stuff, and often we get the opportunity to be let in on those conversations and have something constructive to say and perhaps help them with.

Help them speak into that so important Good on you as teachers taking it to the next level, really, because there'd be many who wouldn't know.

Help them speak into that so important Good on you as teachers taking it to the next level, really, because there'd be many who wouldn't know.

And I think that our link is really really crucial because otherwise it's flindless. Yeah, Operation from has become too much of a standalone and the kids need that connection. After that, that sort of follow up which happened through our connection with them from having been on the same thing.

And I think that our link is really really crucial because otherwise it's flindless. Yeah, Operation from has become too much of a standalone and the kids need that connection. After that, that sort of follow up which happened through our connection with them from having been on the same thing.

Sam and I have done this for a number of years and we do it as a team, and so the team that we build between us is really special too, you know, to we talk about the kids and we talk about them afterwards as well and how we can help.

Sam and I have done this for a number of years and we do it as a team, and so the team that we build between us is really special too, you know, to we talk about the kids and we talk about them afterwards as well and how we can help.

Good on you both. Thanks, Thanks Matt, Thank you.

Good on you both. Thanks, Thanks Matt, Thank you.

A couple of teachers with their students of Operation Flinda's. How excellent is that hearing that story from them as to the care for children moving beyond school once they finish, you know, give us a call any that's what you want teachers to be like. That's brilliant, I think, and good on them. It's a state school. I took out the references to the school in the conversation, but I think that's going above and beyond and absolute champions. Libby is a long time volunteer with Operation Flinder's. I caught up with her up at Yankin in a station as well. Libby, you volunteer here with Wayne your husband. How's that working out and how did you get involve the two of you?

A couple of teachers with their students of Operation Flinda's. How excellent is that hearing that story from them as to the care for children moving beyond school once they finish, you know, give us a call any that's what you want teachers to be like. That's brilliant, I think, and good on them. It's a state school. I took out the references to the school in the conversation, but I think that's going above and beyond and absolute champions. Libby is a long time volunteer with Operation Flinder's. I caught up with her up at Yankin in a station as well. Libby, you volunteer here with Wayne your husband. How's that working out and how did you get involve the two of you?

It's fantastic. We do lots of job sharing together, so that's good. But I got involved with Operation Flinder's back a while I was lecturing at the university in outdoor education, and so I was Wayne and he did his first walk up here. After he'd done it, I went to the meeting that you have afterwards with the group and that got me really fired up that I'd like to be involved. And so I started with the next step program with the kids that have done the first walk and then wanting to go on developing and doing things. And so I've been doing that for about fifteen years now and it's so rewarding. You get more out of it than you put in. It's just fantastic in seeing the kids grow, to see them grow. And I had the most amazing experience with a kid about a year ago. We live in Parkside and walked down the street.

It's fantastic. We do lots of job sharing together, so that's good. But I got involved with Operation Flinder's back a while I was lecturing at the university in outdoor education, and so I was Wayne and he did his first walk up here. After he'd done it, I went to the meeting that you have afterwards with the group and that got me really fired up that I'd like to be involved. And so I started with the next step program with the kids that have done the first walk and then wanting to go on developing and doing things. And so I've been doing that for about fifteen years now and it's so rewarding. You get more out of it than you put in. It's just fantastic in seeing the kids grow, to see them grow. And I had the most amazing experience with a kid about a year ago. We live in Parkside and walked down the street.

I had a bit of Operation.

I had a bit of Operation.

Flinder's jacket on, but a young man jumped out of a big truck that he was doing roadworks there, and he jumped out and he recognized us. Oh wow, and called out Lenny Wayne, I don't here, and he said how much Operation Flinda's had done for him. And it just it thrills you, it really does.

Flinder's jacket on, but a young man jumped out of a big truck that he was doing roadworks there, and he jumped out and he recognized us. Oh wow, and called out Lenny Wayne, I don't here, and he said how much Operation Flinda's had done for him. And it just it thrills you, it really does.

Yes, Maybe tell me about your background, because I know you've run a school in the Northern Territory.

Yes, Maybe tell me about your background, because I know you've run a school in the Northern Territory.

Was it in Cathrine, No, No, it was Actually I've had kids from Catherine that have come down and done the program. But in fact our school was just in South Australia by thirty k's. We were one hundred k's from the Western Australian border, thirty k's from the Northern Territory in South Australia. When we got there, we were going to be the first teachers. The buildings hadn't arrived because there'd been rain and they couldn't get them in, so we camped in our camper. We got the keys to the house and the school in September. But it was the best thing that could have been because the people were wonderful to us. They looked after us really. But we actually had a woman who worked with me in my class and a woman who worked with Wayne in his group. He had the older kids, which is appropriate male female, and we trained up someone to be the bus driver who went round to the four little homeland communities and brought the kids in every day, and we had a groundsman. We trained them all up that one of those women has now finished her degree, which is fantastic.

Was it in Cathrine, No, No, it was Actually I've had kids from Catherine that have come down and done the program. But in fact our school was just in South Australia by thirty k's. We were one hundred k's from the Western Australian border, thirty k's from the Northern Territory in South Australia. When we got there, we were going to be the first teachers. The buildings hadn't arrived because there'd been rain and they couldn't get them in, so we camped in our camper. We got the keys to the house and the school in September. But it was the best thing that could have been because the people were wonderful to us. They looked after us really. But we actually had a woman who worked with me in my class and a woman who worked with Wayne in his group. He had the older kids, which is appropriate male female, and we trained up someone to be the bus driver who went round to the four little homeland communities and brought the kids in every day, and we had a groundsman. We trained them all up that one of those women has now finished her degree, which is fantastic.

So one of the school children essentially. Yeah, she was.

So one of the school children essentially. Yeah, she was.

Actually the assistant teacher and she's now Yes, she's now a trained teacher. So yeah, it was fantastic.

Actually the assistant teacher and she's now Yes, she's now a trained teacher. So yeah, it was fantastic.

Yeah, what an experience. How long were you up there? For?

Yeah, what an experience. How long were you up there? For?

Six years? And then also our own family, we've realized because we had four boys and that we were studying to get grandchildren and things, and we wanted to be a little bit closer to family, so yeah, and we then came down and then not long after that we got offered a job at the university and yeah, and lectured in outdoor education.

Six years? And then also our own family, we've realized because we had four boys and that we were studying to get grandchildren and things, and we wanted to be a little bit closer to family, so yeah, and we then came down and then not long after that we got offered a job at the university and yeah, and lectured in outdoor education.

And now you're here, and I gather you don't miss one of these when they set up.

And now you're here, and I gather you don't miss one of these when they set up.

I love it.

I love it.

I love the outback, but it's the people. Okay, I don't have so much when I'm on base, I don't have so much to do with the kids, but you're supporting but all the other people who are terrific.

I love the outback, but it's the people. Okay, I don't have so much when I'm on base, I don't have so much to do with the kids, but you're supporting but all the other people who are terrific.

To work with.

To work with.

But then I Wayne and I.

But then I Wayne and I.

Both do.

Both do.

A lot of the work with the next steppers in between exercises, and we've introduced kayaking into so we train them up so that they get outdoor recreation qualifications as well.

A lot of the work with the next steppers in between exercises, and we've introduced kayaking into so we train them up so that they get outdoor recreation qualifications as well.

And that's not here, is it. That's where there's not much that's right.

And that's not here, is it. That's where there's not much that's right.

So Operation Flinders goes to different regions like Kangaroo Island and other.

So Operation Flinders goes to different regions like Kangaroo Island and other.

Place and we do. We do a lot of the training down at Clayton which is really good area. We sometimes paddle on West Lakes or Port River. You know, they're getting the skills to then work in the outdoors themselves, maybe as a leader later if they get all the qualifications they need.

Place and we do. We do a lot of the training down at Clayton which is really good area. We sometimes paddle on West Lakes or Port River. You know, they're getting the skills to then work in the outdoors themselves, maybe as a leader later if they get all the qualifications they need.

It's a wonderful thing, isn't it. I mean, directly and indirectly, you're helping young people. You're affecting and potentially changing their lives for the better, which is the best thing you could possibly do.

It's a wonderful thing, isn't it. I mean, directly and indirectly, you're helping young people. You're affecting and potentially changing their lives for the better, which is the best thing you could possibly do.

Yes, but in fact it sounds selfish, but I think I get so much out of it too.

Yes, but in fact it sounds selfish, but I think I get so much out of it too.

A lot of people have told me.

A lot of people have told me.

That, yeah, it's just fantastic. And I think the other thing is that the whole support from Operation Flinders is so supportive of making use of the skills you bring, but then giving you some training in the bits that you're lacking in and that makes you feel comfortable. If you're going into an area that you're not so familiar with or you don't know so much, you know they've got your back and that makes a huge difference.

That, yeah, it's just fantastic. And I think the other thing is that the whole support from Operation Flinders is so supportive of making use of the skills you bring, but then giving you some training in the bits that you're lacking in and that makes you feel comfortable. If you're going into an area that you're not so familiar with or you don't know so much, you know they've got your back and that makes a huge difference.

So it's fantastic, wonderful. Thank you, thank you, Libby, thank you for your time.

So it's fantastic, wonderful. Thank you, thank you, Libby, thank you for your time.

And one of the people that helps bring it all together up there in Yankin in the station. It's what about seven hundred odd k's out of Adelaide due north northern Flinders, Abby Buckley, who is looking after operation SO. I had a chat with her while I was up there as well.

And one of the people that helps bring it all together up there in Yankin in the station. It's what about seven hundred odd k's out of Adelaide due north northern Flinders, Abby Buckley, who is looking after operation SO. I had a chat with her while I was up there as well.

Abby.

Abby.

You're in charge of some of the colms here and some of the organization.

You're in charge of some of the colms here and some of the organization.

What's your title here, Matthew.

What's your title here, Matthew.

My title is OPSO, which is the acronym for Operations Officer of the Exercise.

My title is OPSO, which is the acronym for Operations Officer of the Exercise.

All right, and what does that entail?

All right, and what does that entail?

The OPSO. We have two of us on this exercise and our role is to be the communication contact and to look after the everyone who's out in the field. And at the moment we have one hundred and forty three people that we are responsible for looking after their safety, their needs and welfare, as well as we look after all our resources that they're well managed out in the field and also making sure that the environment out there is well cared for and we have as minimal impact as possible.

The OPSO. We have two of us on this exercise and our role is to be the communication contact and to look after the everyone who's out in the field. And at the moment we have one hundred and forty three people that we are responsible for looking after their safety, their needs and welfare, as well as we look after all our resources that they're well managed out in the field and also making sure that the environment out there is well cared for and we have as minimal impact as possible.

Okay, there's a lot of radio chat and I can hear it now in the background, and that has NonStop been the twenty four hours that I've been here. So there is a lot of two and fro communications, isn't there With ten different groups spread over six hundred odd squea kilometers.

Okay, there's a lot of radio chat and I can hear it now in the background, and that has NonStop been the twenty four hours that I've been here. So there is a lot of two and fro communications, isn't there With ten different groups spread over six hundred odd squea kilometers.

That's exactly right, Matthew. We run the communications twenty four by seven, we run the shifts. So with our two opsos, one is always on the radio at nighttime as well as during the day. And that's why you're hearing all that radio chatter that we give that absolute priority when one of the teams call in requesting something.

That's exactly right, Matthew. We run the communications twenty four by seven, we run the shifts. So with our two opsos, one is always on the radio at nighttime as well as during the day. And that's why you're hearing all that radio chatter that we give that absolute priority when one of the teams call in requesting something.

And generally food has dropped off, it's you know, perhaps batteries running out or something like that that they might call in for.

And generally food has dropped off, it's you know, perhaps batteries running out or something like that that they might call in for.

Yes, well you've heard what we call the sit reps that come in between seven am and eight am every morning. That stands for Situation report, and each of the team leaders they have a set format where they are able to quickly tell us what's going on with their team after the evening, what their intentions are for the day, and if they have any needs. And then after we've had the sit reps, then the two opsos sit down and we work out what is the most efficient way to cover all those kilometers with basically two vehicles to get Basically it's a milk run. So we set up these two really long milk runs. One goes out to the northwest and one goes out to the northeast, efficiently dropping off and picking up or the empty food boxes, dropping off receps like for batteries or water or anything anything that the team leaders need and the participants where they're to make their life as easy as par possible with safety being the major criteria.

Yes, well you've heard what we call the sit reps that come in between seven am and eight am every morning. That stands for Situation report, and each of the team leaders they have a set format where they are able to quickly tell us what's going on with their team after the evening, what their intentions are for the day, and if they have any needs. And then after we've had the sit reps, then the two opsos sit down and we work out what is the most efficient way to cover all those kilometers with basically two vehicles to get Basically it's a milk run. So we set up these two really long milk runs. One goes out to the northwest and one goes out to the northeast, efficiently dropping off and picking up or the empty food boxes, dropping off receps like for batteries or water or anything anything that the team leaders need and the participants where they're to make their life as easy as par possible with safety being the major criteria.

And that obviously drops off food as well for the day and the night to come as camps groups make their way to wear they're camping that night.

And that obviously drops off food as well for the day and the night to come as camps groups make their way to wear they're camping that night.

Well, actually, Matthew, that's what. Before the exercise, we have another amazing team of volleys who were down in HQ, and that there's another team that come up here pre exercise and they're the people who are packing all the food into boxes and then they're sent up here and the food boxes are already put out at the camps by this other amazing group of volleys the pre advance and they set up all the camp sites. So our role is if like we have special rations for people who have special dietary needs, and we had one this morning the Marror We camp, the one that's right out west. The special rations have to be topped up, so they've all been used, so we're making sure that by tonight they'll be resupplied at that camp site, but all the food's already out there in this field.

Well, actually, Matthew, that's what. Before the exercise, we have another amazing team of volleys who were down in HQ, and that there's another team that come up here pre exercise and they're the people who are packing all the food into boxes and then they're sent up here and the food boxes are already put out at the camps by this other amazing group of volleys the pre advance and they set up all the camp sites. So our role is if like we have special rations for people who have special dietary needs, and we had one this morning the Marror We camp, the one that's right out west. The special rations have to be topped up, so they've all been used, so we're making sure that by tonight they'll be resupplied at that camp site, but all the food's already out there in this field.

Boxes amazing system you've got in your control room. Were able to monitor everyone electronically with I suppose the attack equivalent type thing and you can see where they are at any given moment or at least every ten minute intervals.

Boxes amazing system you've got in your control room. Were able to monitor everyone electronically with I suppose the attack equivalent type thing and you can see where they are at any given moment or at least every ten minute intervals.

That's correct. This is new technology that we have integrated. This is the second exercise that we've had it on, so we're on a steep learning curve. But from doing this role in the past where we had just a manual system, to now being able to any screen, not just in our OPSO room, but any screen that is in Wi Fi contact on the base. We're able to open it up and see where all of our teams and our vehicles are at within ten minute pins.

That's correct. This is new technology that we have integrated. This is the second exercise that we've had it on, so we're on a steep learning curve. But from doing this role in the past where we had just a manual system, to now being able to any screen, not just in our OPSO room, but any screen that is in Wi Fi contact on the base. We're able to open it up and see where all of our teams and our vehicles are at within ten minute pins.

What do you get out of it personally, I've be being here and volunteering.

What do you get out of it personally, I've be being here and volunteering.

For me personally, it's about gett a bit emotional. This it's about working with these where you've met the Matthew people and we are all volunteers, And when do you find an organization where you're working with so many people like we've got sort of twenty thirty odd people on base and you absolutely know everyone here is giving one hundred and fifty percent all the time. There are no slackers. You don't have to ask people twice. People are just wanting to work and give everything so beautually. By the time we go home, we're all mentally, physically, emotionally exhausted, but it's such a good feeling because we know that everything we're doing is giving those young people out there the chance to reach their highest potential.

For me personally, it's about gett a bit emotional. This it's about working with these where you've met the Matthew people and we are all volunteers, And when do you find an organization where you're working with so many people like we've got sort of twenty thirty odd people on base and you absolutely know everyone here is giving one hundred and fifty percent all the time. There are no slackers. You don't have to ask people twice. People are just wanting to work and give everything so beautually. By the time we go home, we're all mentally, physically, emotionally exhausted, but it's such a good feeling because we know that everything we're doing is giving those young people out there the chance to reach their highest potential.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your time.

Thanks Matthew.

Thanks Matthew.