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Going to school by barrel train

13 February 2018
Community Punmu
Children and Schooling
Young Aboriginal children sit in and stand next to a series of barrels mounted on wheels.

The tiny remote community of Punmu in Western Australia has increased school attendance by taking students to and from school in a train; a barrel train.

Going to school has never been more fun for students in the tiny remote community of Punmu in the Pilbara, Western Australia.

The student’s enthusiasm for travelling to school in a barrel towed behind a tractor has led to an increase in school attendance. To enjoy the ride home, students must remain at school all day, and that is happening consistently.

The idea came to Punmu Community Coordinator John Reudavey while attending a fair in Perth. Designed and built with the help of John’s friends Donald Graham and Peter Doery, the barrel train has been embraced by the community.

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Getting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to school and on the path to a successful career is a high priority for the Australian Government.