I was recently fortunate enough to be granted a week on annual leave. I was convinced by a family member to join a group of friends to head to Cocos Island. To be honest, I knew little about Cocos except that it was quite remote and most of the activity revolved around water-based fun.

Whilst by no means an expert, I now know a little more about Cocos (Keeling) Islands! Firstly, I was not wrong about the remoteness of Cocos Keeling. The atoll lies in the Indian Ocean, 2750 km north west of Perth. This equates to a four hour plane ride with Virgin Australia and deposits you closer to Indonesia than mainland Australia. Twenty six islands make up the Cocos atoll, with North Keeling Island being part of a smaller atoll to the north. At this time of the year, temperatures hover in the 25 – 30 degree range and the humidity at a balmy 75%. Rain tends to fall at night.

Cocos Keeling is an offshore territory of Australia. On West Island you find an expat community of Australians who will make you feel most welcome. Whilst on Home Island (across a magnificent lagoon) you’ll find equally friendly locals who speak Cocos Malay and English. All transactions are in Australian dollars…so no need for currency exchange.

Historically, Cocos was originally discovered in 1609. In 1825 Captain John Clunies-Ross (a name that became synonymous with Cocos) dug wells and planted palm trees that underscored the island’s economy for many years to come. It was also during this time that workers and settlers were brought in – Malays, Chinese, Papuans and Indians, with the Malays, in particular, staying on to be a significant part of Cocos culture.

But, moving to the current day, Cocos Keeling survives as a tropical paradise with its magnificent clear water and beautiful lagoons, surrounded by palm trees. You will be amazed by the proliferation of aquatic life in even the shallowest water. The shore dives and snorkelling opportunities are the best I have seen. But you can also spend your time surfing, kite or windsurfing, bird watching, island hopping on motorized canoes, kayaks or the island ferry service, fishing, beachcombing, walking, cycling or even playing bit of golf. If you are nervous about being in the water, there is also a glass bottom boat. You can experience all of this in the most relaxed surroundings (boardies, tee-shirts and thongs are very much the way to go!). And all of this is in the most secure and friendly community. Where else these days do you check into accommodation without a key – no need to lock anything – or when you park your hire car leave the key in the ignition? It’s that safe!

Amongst all of these natural wonders, I also discovered some amazing people. In my capacity as Schools and Community Program Coordinator, I felt I had a rare opportunity to drop in on one of the most remote district high schools in Australia. School principal, Ray Denholm, is from West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett’s old home town of Bunbury. After teaching at Cocos in the 90’s and discovering its beauty, he has returned as principal of the DHS and, for the past 5 years, has split his time between campuses on West and Home Islands. I think he also manages to fit in a ‘spot of surfing’ in his leisure time.

I also got to meet Pak Yati who has been an Education Assistant within the school for nearly 30 years. Pak Yati’s father was a plant operator in the Clunies-Ross coconut plantation before working at the old quarantine station. Pak Yati is also a most passionate supporter of the West Coast Eagles. He is a promoter of Auskick and is involved in the Ardmona Cup. Ardmona Cup is an annual game that involves any able bodied players (15 – 50 year olds) in a one off game for the coveted cup (an empty tin of Ardmona peaches mounted on a chunk of local iron wood). Pak Yati loves nothing more than watching his beloved Eagles take on all comers and tries to get to a couple of games annually in Perth.

Both Ray and Pak Yati could lay claim to ‘western-most supporter’ status as both are passionate West Coast fans. But both love working in their school that is, coincidentally, painted blue and gold (I’m not really sure that this is a coincidence!). Their love of AFL and the West Coast Eagles rubs off on their students as evidenced in the photo below with more local Eagles fans:
Fikrie Balmut, Shanti Zaikat, Pak Yati, Ray Denholm and Siddiq Juljali

You can probably tell that I loved my week at Cocos Keeling Islands and especially enjoyed meeting those with a passion for AFL, their community and the West Coast Eagles. Sincere thanks to all for helping make my stay so enjoyable and to Pak Yati, Ray and the Cocos Islands DHS for ensuring the devotion to the West Coast Eagles was so evident.