Intricate carvings and artworks, meaningful signs and new seats with great views … there’s so much to love about the Munjip Trail at Batemans Bay.

The 15km trail from Observation Point, Batehaven, south to McKenzies Beach, takes in the dramatic rocky coastline and winds through forested headlands, with picnic and coffee stops along the way.

Walking the tracks and beaches was already an excellent adventure, but a collaboration between Batemans Bay High School, Elders, Eurobodalla Shire Council, NSW Police, NSW Health and skilled craftspeople has made it so much richer.

Munjip is pronounced Mun-yip and means "walking together, let’s go!" in Dhurga language.

The trail is punctuated with a series of carved wooden poles which students and Elders have helped create, under the skilled guidance of Senior Constable Tony Xuereb, a youth officer with the South Coast Police District, and David Thomas.

In a former incarnation, Constable Xuereb was a carpenter and was glad to pick up his chisels and help students and Elders bring the Munjip vision to life in hardwood poles.

“I was invited to become involved with carving poles made of recovered railway sleepers,” Constable Xuereb said.

“My background as a carpenter and cabinet maker made me a good fit for the job.”

Elders work with students on Wednesday mornings to share culture, yarns and cooking and everyone jumps at the chance to contribute to the designs.

“The students built their hands-on skills and gained ownership of the projects and the culture the Elders and school staff were teaching them,” Constable Xuereb said.

Chief Inspector John Sheehan and police Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Eddie Moore also took a keen interest in the project, giving students and Elders the chance to work in an informal relaxed way with police.

With Aboriginal Education Officer Joe White, the students helped prepare, sand, fill and finish the timber and were excited to see the images emerge.

“The council had a concept plan and images or designs of the characters they wanted included, but they left it up to us to develop those designs,” Constable Xuereb said.

“With the Elders, everyone chipped in and decided which images we would use; we put pencil to paper and sketched out what we thought would look good.”

Students and Elders such as Vanessa Parsons, Violet Parsons and Dawn Chatfield are proud of the results and of the chance to share culture each Wednesday at the school.

“It was so good having the young ones around to know our culture and learn about the land, how we care for and nurture it,” Auntie Dawn said.

“We have to look after it and teach our young ones to look after it.”

Year 10 students Lachlan Richards said the carving project, learning to dance and spending time with Elders made Wednesdays special.

“That’s why we get out of bed every Wednesday, to see the Elders,” Lachlan said.

“We learn so much about culture and respect all the Elders.

“We dance for the Elders so we can show them how proud we are for the culture and how proud we are to stand on Walbanja country.

“We talk to them, eat with them, play didgeridoo and love seeing them.”

Year 10 student Kevin Reynolds agreed.

“It's a privilege to meet all of these kind and lovely people and learn a lot,” Kevin said.

“I have been able to connect with the mother, or the land, and express myself.

“Some of the knowledge, they don't teach you in school.

“You can have a chat, and the Elders are all friendly.”

He said the relationship worked both ways, for example, when Elders needed help with computers.

“The Elders explain things and you return it another way,” he said.

“Everyone of us sat down with an Elder on the computers and we helped them through it.”

Year 10 student Jaellah Crow loved hearing from the Elders.

“I liked listening to their stories and what they have done to help the community,” Jaellah said.

“It was a new experience.”

Student Walter McQuillan valued the chance to learn with the Elders each week at school.

“I really enjoyed it because I have not really been connected to my culture,” Walter said.

“It has been lovely to meet the Elders of our area, but the activities are also fun.”

Hearing the students express their appreciation of the project brought tears to Auntie Di’s eyes.

“I love these kids,” she said.

“I am just so proud of them; they respect us.”

David Thomas is a senior Aboriginal clinician for NSW Health and welcomed the chance to carve one of the poles.

“A lot of our young people don't sit down with Elders to learn and listen, so part of this project was to get the Elders in and work with the kids in cooking classes or writing stories,” he said.

“We all sat back and created and developed our own designs on each pole.

“It is contemporary cultural practice; it was good to see the young students engage with the elders to earn and give back respect.”

The carving project was a chance to tell a story, but also to learn Dhurga words for fish etc.

“The kids absorbed a lot of that and have embraced their culture,” he said.

“They're young, proud people and that makes us proud as well, to see our students strive in education in the westernised society, but also with their own culture.

“Living in both worlds, finding that balance, for these children, is important.”

Batemans Bay High School principal Paula Brennan loves seeing the connections between the students and the elders “within the school grounds, but also out and about”.

“They're linking with the elders and the mutual respect between the two groups and the love of being together, engaging in different activities and learning works both ways,” Ms Brennan said.

She said the project was important for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

“I always work on the ‘bring-a-friend’ idea, so we are sharing that cultural knowledge beyond the Aboriginal community,” she said.

“It's passing down through the generations but also branching out into other areas of our school community.

“We are walking together, and we want to support all our students and learn from each other.

“If you respect culture, you can incorporate that into your teaching, but also into your learning and you are open to learning in different ways.”

Students and Elders have also worked on a book for primary school students which will soon be distributed.

Chief Inspector Sheehan said the project helped build relationships between young people, community and the police.

“It is breaking down the stigma between the two of us,” he said.

“It is about coming together in programs to build rapport.”

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said the Munjip Trail was cultural connection in action.

“What’s been created here goes beyond physical carvings. It’s about young people sitting with Elders, hearing stories, learning language, and expressing knowledge in ways that leave a mark on Country,” Mr Hatcher said.

“I’ve been moved watching students and Elders shaping the poles – and shaping their meaning – with respect flowing both ways; students gaining cultural insight and Elders watching their stories be honoured and carried on.

“Led by community and supported by Council and Bay High, this is the kind of collaboration we need more of, because it’s projects like the Munjip Trail, sharing culture and putting trust in young people, that keeps our community strong.”