Get Outside Gets Inside!

The morning of our latest walk on 24th of February was teeming with much needed rain. But not so great for a group of mothers and young children ready to walk on the Cascade and Hobart Rivulet tracks. We changed to Plan B, and hosted a group of 6 women and 10 children on a trip to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Highlights were the indigenous exhibitions, which touched the hearts of the women who spoke about similar journeys in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Stories of colonisation and dispossession are important to share, and they felt very happy to gain a greater understanding of Tasmanian history and the parallels with their own lives. The kids loved the animal exhibitions, particularly hearing the growls of the Tasmanian Devils in the Remarkable Devil section.

We were grateful that the rain cleared and we enjoyed some shared food at Princes Park. The children were delighted by the playground, and the women enjoyed relaxing under the trees. Five of the women also strolled through the Salamanca Market. For all of them, it was their first time at this Tasmanian iconic event, and we enjoyed seeing the colour and unique displays of the stalls.

This group have not been in Tasmania for a long time, and are prone to greater isolation due to their childcare responsibilities. It was lovely to see their lightness after such a relaxing day. We spent a lot of time sharing stories and laughing. They are all very keen to join us on future walks, with a couple of the women even stating that this was the best day they had had since arriving.

Thanks to Bessy, one of our leaders who helped out at TMAG, and with her mother taught the kids some Chinese words. Her skills with children were invaluable. We are also grateful to the Migrant Resource Centre who provided us with a bi-cultural worker, Selamawit, who did a brilliant job translating into 2 languages. It was a wonderful day, connecting new Tasmanians to a view of history and place, and an unusual day for Get Outside to head indoors.