The school has been doing its best to keep the oval green and the open areas around the facility vegetated to keep the dust down, but the combination of water restrictions and the dry season has meant they are fighting a losing battle.

With limited water due to restrictions and the prospect of things becoming much worse, the school decided to investigate the possibility of becoming self-sufficient in that area. 

Last Friday, Kelly Drilling arrived on the school grounds to look for an underground water supply.

Head of Campus Greg Hanrahan said experts were brought in to assess the situation.

“Two months ago Paul Kelly from Kelly Drilling arrived on the grounds to apply his divining skills, and marked out two possible sites where good water could be found,” he said. 

“The team that arrived on Friday were able to locate the two same drilling sites by divining and began to drill.”

 Mr Hanrahan said four Year 9 geography students from the school’s junior campus were invited to observe the drilling process and to take samples of the ground below at each metre of depth.

“They were given access to information regarding underground water tables and drilling for water,” he said. 

“All were provided the chance to try their hand at divining and by using the underground water lines for the oval irrigation system, where trained and sent to find water. 

“A challenge was mounted between the boys and girls, and it turned out that the girls had more success in locating the water line.”

 Mr Hanrahan said that at 30 metres below ground level, the rig broke into the first aquifer, spraying water up into the air. 

“By the time the drill bit reach 54 metres, a good flow from five aquifers was assured,” he said.

“After casing and capping the bore hole, a pump test was completed. The continued output from the new well equated to 18,000 litres per hour, or in other terms, 4000 gallons an hour.”

The water is yet to be fully analysed but it is expected that the volume will easily service the oval and gardens, as well as supply toilets and showers. 

With numbers expected to reach around 65 boarders next year, this will provide some level of relief to the demands currently being placed on the community water supply.

The school currently provides boarding to around 40 students who come from the Gulf, across towards and into the Northern Territory, back to Julia Creek and all the way down to Birdsville.