After a 12-hour bus trip, nothing was going to stop 49 energetic Indigenous youngsters from running straight into the cool waters of South Narrabeen beach.
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Despite the focus on fun during the three-day visit to Sydney, the Bush to Beach program, now in its 10th year, is not just a holiday.
Jack Cannons, who helped found the program, said the experience gives participants the opportunity to think what will happen if they keep going to school.
"There's no reason why these kids can't be doctors, lawyers, solicitors, tradespeople," he said.
Bianca Cochrane, on her seventh trip, is one of 10 in the group to have completed their HSC at Brewarrina last year – a record for the small community. After a gap year, she plans to study electrical engineering at university.
"Have a positive look on education ... be a leader," she advised her fellow travellers on Friday.
The mayor of Brewarrina said the program makes them realise the opportunities available to them.
"These children, most have not been outside of Brewarrina before they go down there," Cr Angelo Pippos said.
Strict rules are imposed for the opportunity to join the group. The participants, who are selected from small communities around Brewarrina, Bourke, Weilmoringle and Enngonia, need to have a good attendance record for the whole year and have a record of good behaviour in the wider community.
Mr Cannons said if it wasn't for South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club – "the smallest club with the biggest heart" – the program, which includes training in water safety, surfing and basic first aid, wouldn't have happened.
"There are still prejudices around, and I wanted them to come into a safe environment where they felt comfortable, and I felt comfortable in the people. That's been achievable by working with the [South Narrabeen SLSC]," he said.
Federal member for Mackellar and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, has been involved in the program since its first year.
"It's always heartening seeing the smile on the young faces when they see the beach for their very first time," she said. "This program is so important in allowing these young Aboriginals to expand their horizons, with some children having never seen the ocean before their visit to Narrabeen."
