Ten Deniliquin High School students will be among 250 taking part in the Massive Murray Paddle (MMP) next week.
Along with six students from Echuca College, the students will be supported by Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Deniliquin High School, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, the NSW Police Force and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
This is the third year Deniliquin High School has been involved in the event.
Some team members joined in Year 7, and have become mentors and senior role models for current Year 7 students.
Deni High staff member Keisha Egan said this year boasts the largest cohort of Year 7s to date.
“We are also overwhelmed with the support the program is now receiving, with more than 17 police paddlers joining the five-day event, working toward the New South Wales Police Force's Aboriginal Strategic Direction priorities,” Mrs Egan said.
“It is about improving communication and understanding between police and Aboriginal people, reduced involvement and improved safety of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system are key components of the strategy.
“We have also got our partner organisation joining the paddle for the second year, National Park and Wildlife Services.
“The NPWS team will be educating and mentoring our youth while they travel the Dungalla River together.
“We hope that some of the youth find a passion in these roles and consider NPWS as a potential career pathway opportunity.
“The students are very well-supported, with aunts, uncles, and community mentors attending to assist the youth to reach their goals.”
The Massive Murray Paddle is an opportunity for community groups to be involved in positive change and outcomes.
It promotes achieving goals as part of a team, as well as the understanding that in the right environment you can work together irrespective of social issues that you face.
And did you know the paddlers that have raced in the MMP between 2016 and 2024 have raised more than over $1.077 million and completed more than 3500 volunteer hours for local charities and community service programs?
The Deniliquin team’s beneficiary this year will be the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group.
“We have been doing this through local markets, school families, the MHAG website, and now through the Pastoral Times,” Mrs Egan said.
“All funds go directly to MHAG to help support people struggling with mental health issues.”
The Deniliquin High School would like to thank Rose Dunn from the Deniliquin Land Council for arranging the funding to allow the children to participate in the paddle, Chantelle Barnes for arranging the accommodation, Luke Egan for arranging the logistics, Lorraine Parson and Kerry Parsons for arranging the meals and Sacha Free for coordinating the fundraising.
Brandon and Riley Parsons-Cooper will provide shore support for the students during the paddle, and Alex O’Bryan will provide the transport.
Shamar Day has been mentoring the students, and Owen Hansen has helped with boat and trailer maintenance.
The Massive Murray Paddle/Murray Marathon was established 53 years ago.
Starting Monday, paddlers will travel from Yarrawonga to Tocumwal on days one and two. The route will be repeated due to watering in the Murray Valley National Park between Tocumwal and Picnic Point.
Paddlers will then travel from Picnic Point to Moama on day three, Echuca to Torumbarry on day four and Gunbower to Koonrook on day five.
To donate to the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, go to www.denimentalhealth.org.au/supporters.