Fire season in regional NSW began early this year. It was in early September that fires started engulfing bushland near Drake, despite statutory Bush Fire Danger Period being from October the 1^st each year.

The UNE Discovery Voyager team are lucky enough to visit some of the most beautiful, picturesque and welcoming small regional and rural schools, many of which have been seriously affected by fires this year. It is with a heavy heart that we saw buildings and grounds at Wytaliba Public School succumb to ferocious fires in the past month. Wytaliba Public School and students appear in many of our Discovery photos and the Voyager video.

The Voyager team have cancelled recent trips to Dorrigo, Nambucca and Corindi in the wake of recent road closures, air quality issues and communities in real distress.

During these times of high stress, unpredictability and environmental devastation, we honour the resilience of regional communities, and the courage with which people face frightening situations at their back door. The Discovery team have witnessed the strength of these communities, and know that recovery from adversity is a long road. We will be back on the road in 2020 to visit affected schools early in the year, bringing inspiring experiences in STEAM and skilled, passionate people that value regional Australia.