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Originally from the Cape York Peninsula, talented AFL player Sammy Lowdown is a Year 9 student at Scots College in Warwick. She was invited to attend try-outs for the Darling Downs team, which were held at Concordia College in Toowoomba. 

Sammy made it through the selection process, which meant a commitment to attending a training session in Toowoomba each week. The team recently took part in the Queensland AFL Competition at Maroochydore, where they spent 5 days playing against teams from all over Queensland.  

The Darling Downs team had some wins, some losses and did not take out the major prize. Sammy was not too disappointed, though, because they had played well and had a good time. 

According to Sammy, the trip was challenging and helped her improve her AFL skills. She made new friends with other young players from around Queensland. It was also the first time Sammy had visited the Sunshine Coast and experienced a surf beach (no crocodiles!).

SWELL Sculpture Festival at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast was the destination for a group of Doug Hall Foundation students for their end-of-term excursion in September. 

The group enjoyed a day at the beach – complete with a picnic and ice cream – and were inspired by the 51 sculptures lining the shores.

Pictured are Kooki, Darimah, Chloe and Elizabeth at the sculpture ‘Love Birds’ – a large replica of a Satin Bowerbird’s nest. 

The male bowerbird builds the nest and decorates it with blue trinkets to attract a mate. Here, the artist, Miles Allen, asks the spectators to write a loving message on a piece of blue plastic and attach it to the nest – a joyful way to spread some love! 

Congratulations to the Concordia Lutheran College Toowoomba “Deadly Mob” (some of whom are supported by the Doug Hall Foundation). The students have written and published a book called Two Ways Strong. It tells the story of life at boarding school through the eyes of young Indigenous students from remote locations across Queensland. 

The idea first surfaced when Year 12 student Raikiesha Castors wrote a story about the joys and the challenges of leaving her home on Palm Island to complete her secondary schooling in Toowoomba.  

The story became a standout at the ABC Heywire Storytelling project, which is an opportunity for rural and regional young people to get their stories heard. 

Concordia teacher Jane Smith proposed expanding the story to include more of the school’s indigenous students, and having it published through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).  

What began as a small idea to be shared internally has turned into a nationwide publication! Fourteen indigenous students contributed their thoughts and ideas.

After 12 months of rigorous workshopping under the leadership of Claire Scobie and Kristine Ellis from ILF, the book was launched on 6 September at the 2017 Brisbane Writers Festival.  The launch, held at Brisbane State Library, was officiated by Dame Quentin Bryce, patron of ILF, and Suzy Wilson, founder of ILF.

The students enjoyed a day of red-carpet treatment at the State Library, which included a book-signing, radio and television interviews, and a lunch. It’s a long way from their remote communities. Well done to the Deadly Mob and their support team! 

The book is available in bookstores across the nation and can be ordered online here.