Bridging cultures in remote WA: Tim Pratt's volunteering experience to remember

I had the incredible opportunity to take two days of volunteering leave and embark on a four-day mission trip to Fitzroy Crossing and Derby with my church.

Our adventure started with a flight from Perth to Broome and then the long drive to Fitzroy Crossing. We stayed at the church where the local pastor and his family have dedicated 20 years to serving the community.

Our main objective was to support the local pastors and the community by leading the weekend services. It was a humbling experience to see the dedication of the local pastor and the needs of the community. While in Fitzroy Crossing, we rolled up our sleeves to help clean and organise the church's storeroom, which had been damaged by floods and we helped shuttle locals to and from the services in Fitzroy Crossing and later, Derby too that we were tasked with facilitating.

Cultural awareness

Before the trip, we underwent cultural awareness briefings to bridge the gap between our Western materialistic and Aboriginal animistic cultures. This was crucial in helping us understand the barriers between our cultural norms and be mindful of these in our interactions to make us all as comfortable as possible while we focus on building relationships and trust. 

During the trip, I learned about the local spiritual beliefs, especially around death and funerals due to a bereavement in the community. The smoking ceremonies to ward off spirits and the customs around not mentioning the names or keeping the belongings of the deceased were particularly enlightening.

A changed perspective

This experience has profoundly enhanced my perspective on life and work. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the dedication of people who serve these communities and highlighted the importance of relationships.

Our church has strengthened relationships with the community so much that when we returned to Perth, they asked if we could visit a family who are being treated at Perth Children's Hospital. We've been able to visit Maxine and her daughter and comfort them by taking them to our church in Jandakot.

The most memorable moments of the trip were debriefing with other volunteers. It was fascinating to discover how the experience differed from our various perspectives while complementing our own takeaways. It's helped us bond and understand the impact of our work.

Knight Frank's Reconciliation journey

This trip inspired me to understand more about Knight Frank's Reconciliation journey, knowing that understanding and bridging the cultural gap is about being compassionate, kind, and willing to invest time in building meaningful relationships.

For anyone considering a similar volunteering trip, my advice is go for it. Volunteering not only impacts the community, it broadens your perspective and is crucial for personal growth. Be open-minded, compassionate, and willing to invest time in building relationships. The rewards are immeasurable.