Bush to Beach experience inspires kids to stay in school – and delivers memories to last a lifetime

A sea of happy faces from the kids and volunteers taking part in this year’s Bush to Beach excursion to Sydney’s northern beaches.

Story: Tricia Duffield Photos: CMS Publicity for Bush to Beach

Thirty-one tired but happy youngsters returned home to Brewarrina, Goodooga and Weilmoringle on Monday, with memories of an experience that will last a lifetime. The kids took part in the annual Bush to Beach excursion, a program that rewards school attendance and good behaviour with a jam-packed three-day adventure on Sydney’s northern beaches.

This year’s trip was the 21st Bush to Beach, founded by Jack Cannons, who is as enthusiastic in 2026 as he was when he launched the program more than two decades ago.

Jacks’  goal is to empower young indigenous children in Bre and Goodooga, encourage them to go to school and inspire them to set goals, and reach them.

“I feel as though we have come full circle this year, our 21st year of Bush to Beach,” Jack said.

“To see their smiles, to see them having fun, the confidence they gain – they deserve it.

“It’s exciting to see the truancy rate drop, to hear them say they want to stay at school, go on to Year 12 and be the best they can be.

“It’s also exciting to see some of the kids in our early Bush to Beach camps achieve their goals. One of early kids was Christopher ‘Burra’ McHughes, who is now one of our board members and a former nominee for Young Australian of the Year. Burra is highly respected by the kids and his community, and it has been exciting to follow the great things he has been doing in his life. […]

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