Alice Marshall

A group of six Brewarrina Aboriginal children spent yesterday with Manly Surf School. The group, aged from 7 to 13, were taught water safety and surf skills.Joyce Doole, who accompanied the group, told Manly Daily that as Brewarrina was five hours west of Dubbo, many of the children who take part in the surf program have never seen the ocean before, let alone surfed.

Warringah has previously hosted Brewarrina locals as part of a Sister City youth exchange program between Warringah and Brewarrina councils. “The kids are just so excited to be here,” Ms Doole said. “It’s just really great for them.”

The children are chosen for the program by the local “Granny Patrol” – run by Ms Doole for 19 years – a group that works with Brewarrina women and children in need of assistance.Selection criteria for a surf trip includes school attendance and good behaviour.