Share a Yarn x Garnduwa – A Win for the Kimberley
In September 2025, Garnduwa engaged the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Share a Yarn program to deliver a week-long engagement across the East Kimberley, bringing elite Aboriginal athletes to some of the most remote corners of the country.
Centred around the East Kimberley Interschool Athletics Carnival in Kununurra, the visit included community and school engagements in Frog Hollow, Doon Doon, and Warmun, as well as a cultural immersion day at Mirima National Park. The trip embodied what both organisations stand for: connection, learning, and empowerment through sport.
“Programs like Share a Yarn highlight the power of sport to bring people together. It is not just about performance. It is about belonging, resilience and pride in who you are,” said Will Rollo, Garnduwa Partnerships and Strategy Manager.
Breaking Barriers, Building Pathways
This collaboration represented far more than a week of community visits. It demonstrated how national and regional organisations can work together to remove barriers and ensure that kids in the Kimberley have access to the same opportunities as those living in metropolitan areas.
Garnduwa worked with the AIS to navigate the logistical and geographic challenges that often limit engagement in remote Australia. Flights, road travel, and complex scheduling required trust, flexibility, and shared commitment between both teams.
The outcome was a powerful example of two-way learning: elite athletes connecting deeply with Country and community, while local youth saw firsthand that pathways in sport can lead from the Kimberley to the world stage. For the athletes, it was an experience that deepened their cultural understanding and reconnected them with identity. For the community, it was proof that representation matters - that young people can aspire to greatness without leaving behind who they are.
From the Track to the Classroom
Over five days, the AIS Share a Yarn athlete ambassadors visited schools, met with local leaders, and joined more than 100 students at the Kununurra athletics carnival. The sessions were filled with energy, laughter, and genuine connection.
At Doon Doon School, excitement started before sunrise, with students knocking on the principal’s door at 6:30 a.m., eager to start their session. At each stop, the athletes led activities, shared stories about their sporting journeys, and encouraged young people to dream big. Across every community, the message was clear: if you can see it, you can do it.
“This was never intended to be a one-off visit. Garnduwa is committed to creating long-term pathways so Kimberley youth can connect to higher-level opportunities and see what is possible,” Will said.
For many young people, it was the first time meeting athletes who shared their cultural background and who could speak directly to the realities of hard work, resilience, and cultural pride. The impact was immediate, excitement, curiosity, and a sense that sport can open doors both on and off the field.
Cultural Connection and Shared Learning
The week culminated in a cultural immersion day at Mirima National Park, where the group spent time learning about local culture, language, and the significance of Country. For the visiting athletes, it was a moment of reflection and growth. An opportunity to see firsthand the depth and diversity of Kimberley culture.
For Garnduwa, it reinforced the importance of respectful preparation, local leadership, and clear communication when delivering culturally grounded programs. Every engagement, from school visits to on-Country experiences, was guided by Garnduwa’s protocols and relationships, ensuring that community voices remained central.
Through these experiences, the athletes gained a stronger connection to culture and a renewed pride in identity. These lessons will continue to influence their lives and careers long after the trip.
Collaboration in Action
Behind the scenes, the success of the trip relied on strong communication and a shared sense of purpose. Garnduwa’s on-ground logistics, regional networks, and cultural guidance enabled the AIS Share a Yarn program to operate confidently and respectfully across multiple communities.
Athletics, often overlooked in the broader sporting landscape, took centre stage as a tool for connection, leadership, and aspiration. The week reaffirmed Garnduwa’s belief in the power of athletics to strengthen youth confidence and create genuine sporting pathways for regional and remote communities.
The engagement was further strengthened through the support of Athletics West, whose involvement helped showcase athletics as an accessible and inspiring pathway for Kimberley youth. Their connection to the state’s athletics network provided an important bridge between community sport and high-performance opportunities.
A Lasting Impact
For Garnduwa, the biggest takeaway was clear: our voice needs to be louder for the kids of the Kimberley.
The collaboration with the AIS Share a Yarn prorgam showed what is possible when national and regional organisations work hand in hand. The trip not only celebrated sport but also amplified the strength, pride, and potential of Kimberley communities.
It also sparked a broader conversation about what equitable opportunity in sport truly looks like and how organisations can work together to close the gap through meaningful, culturally grounded engagement.
The lessons learned from this trip will inform future programming, and pathways designed to give every young person in the Kimberley the chance to shine.
Acknowledgement
Garnduwa acknowledges the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the AIS Share a Yarn program for their commitment to empowering Aboriginal youth, along with Athletics West for their collaboration and ongoing support in developing athletics pathways across the Kimberley. Deep thanks also go to the communities of Frog Hollow, Doon Doon, Warmun, and Kununurra for their hospitality, enthusiasm, and participation throughout the visit.