REFLECTIONS

I went out into the Flinders with a lot of anger problems, confidence issues and a bad attitude. As the week progressed I learnt to appreciate and understand what the people at Operation Flinders were trying to teach us and why what I was doing back home was wrong. I started co-operating with my team members and giving instead of taking like I usually did.

When I returned home people were expecting me to fall back into my old ways, but I didn’t, I chose to remember some of the lessons I’d been taught and put them in place in my daily life. I learnt to control my anger, a task that I thought was beyond me. Operation Flinders helped me to change my ways for the better and the program set me on a new path in life. It showed me a different side of myself that I didn’t know existed and helped me realise some of my dreams and goals.

I thought each time we got to the top of a big mountain and looked back at what we accomplished it was really worth it. The long walks with the backpacks were hard but worth it in the end, I enjoyed the experience very much and the team leaders and support staff did an outstanding job.

It was an amazing experience and I still have so much more to learn. This trip was a great opportunity and I have gained so much knowledge from everyone around me. The leaders were great and supporting everyone and I loved working as a team.

Operation Flinders was my turning point. Before Operation Flinders I felt like I wasn’t good enough, I was angry and didn’t care for myself. Operation Flinders made me feel like I was worthy of success and released passion inside me to help others.

I loved the feeling of achievement, being in a team and learning.

From then on I never questioned my capabilities. I was the first person in my family to complete University. 20 years on I’m working as the Social Worker in my old high school planning my 6^th walk. Operation Flinders is an experience like no other.

Before I participated on Operation Flinders I was socially and educational disengaged. I had almost no self confidence in myself and had never accomplished anything. I was totally disconnected from school.

Day by day on the walk I began to realise that I can accomplish things by applying myself. The Operation Flinders staff taught me set small goals and really helped me come out of my shell. After Operation Flinders I reconnected with school and my academic performance increased dramatically.

Operation Flinders taught me to see things through and gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my dreams.