For the students of the Australian outback it was a rare chance to mingle with their friends in the same room. They toured Mount Isa locations and enjoyed their sports day on Friday. 

But education is hard yakka, as one eKindy student made quite clear. “When’s smoko?” he was overheard asking a School of the Air teacher. 

Mount Isa School of the Air deputy principal Janeen Fricke said there had been a two day forum for home tutors held at the Overlander Function Centre on Wednesday and Thursday. 

90 parents and governesses had attended the forum. Some had traveled from Western Australia to attend. Up to 20 people had attended from the Northern Territory, while others had traveled from Birdsville, Hughenden, and the Gulf country, she said. 

The Department of Education also hired trainers from Reading Hub.

“It was really good to have them on board,” Ms Fricke said.