BELGRAVE students are reaping the rewards of a cultural exchange with a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory.
Since hosting 17 indigenous students and their teachers from Wadeye, a small town about 400 kilometres from Darwin, Mater Christi College students have been learning more about Aboriginal culture and its connection with the land.
"The students spent a week here, discovering the culture, language and what cold weather feels like," deputy principal Tim Crowe said.
Eager to continue the bond, the Belgrave students are preparing for their own voyage of discovery to the sun-drenched distant community.
They will visit Wadeye from April 12-17.
Exchange organiser Helen Smith said the 12 students were looking forward to meeting up with their friends again and living in the community.
"The girls are really keen to catch up on the friendships," Mrs Smith said. "This is the sort of community we want to send our students to because we know it will make them better people."
During the week-long visit, the students will go bush with the older women of the community and learn survival techniques, including food gathering.
Savannah, 16, is looking forward to catching barramundi and finding her own bush tucker.
"It's going to be a different experience. When they were here it was really interesting - they found places we think are normal very exciting, like the MCG, Melbourne Zoo and Puffing Billy."
Donations can be made to help the students go to Wadeye. Phone: 9754 6611.