The Day a Baby Goanna Came to Visit

There are some days on the road that stay with you. Our trip to Yarrabah was one of those days.

Racheal, Jakiyah, Artie and I were making our way to the school when we spotted something pretty unusual on the road — two baby crocodiles.

Rach wasn't exactly keen on getting out of the car. Her thinking was simple: if there are baby crocs, there's probably a mama croc nearby.

I thought I'd keep me wits about me and have a look.

It's one of the things you appreciate when travelling through this country. You can be heading to a school to run a clinic and encounter something you definitely don't see every day.

But the real special moments happened once we arrived.

It's about more than the clinic

We spent time in the staff room, having a yarn with the teachers and getting to know the people who make the school what it is.

That's one of the things I love most about Goanna Academy clinics. It's not just about what happens on the field or in the classroom. It's about taking the time to listen, build relationships and understand the community we're there to support.

Three days after our visit, the staff sent us a photo.

There was a baby goanna sitting in exactly the same spot where I'd been sitting in the staff room.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. But I'd like to think it was a little sign.

Sometimes, showing up is the biggest step

As special as that little goanna was, we heard something afterwards that meant even more.

One student who hadn't been seen at school for three years came along on the day of our clinic. Slowly, they started turning up again.

Think about that for a moment. Three years away from school, and then one day, they walked through those gates.

We don't always know what someone is dealing with or what it takes for them to take that first step. But we do know that connection matters. Sometimes, making someone feel welcome and giving them a reason to get involved can help open a door.

For that student, coming along to the clinic was a big step. Seeing them start to return to school was a reminder of why this work matters.

At Goanna Academy, we use sport to connect with young people and create opportunities to talk about mental health and wellbeing. But the impact can go well beyond the clinic itself.

It's about creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard and supported, and reminding them they don't have to face life's challenges alone.

Yarrabah reminded me that we can't always see the impact of what we do straight away. What we can do is keep showing up, listening and creating opportunities for people to connect.

I'll remember the baby crocs, the conversations in the staff room and that little goanna sitting in my chair three days later.

Most importantly, I'll remember the student who showed up.

Because that's what this work is really about — showing up, building connections and helping people find their way back.