A Mother-Daughter Journey – The First Kirup Camino

Year 9 boarder Evelyn and her mum, Susan, recently embarked on the very first Kirup Camino – a 16km walking pilgrimage along the railway line from Kirup to Balingup. The journey offered Evelyn a chance to reconnect with her primary school teachers from St Brigid’s, while Susan got to explore the beautiful landscapes and experience what a ‘Camino’ is all about. Here, they share reflections on what made this experience so memorable.
Rediscovering Old Connections
“I wanted to do it because it was a great way to catch up with some of my teachers from St Brigid’s Primary School and to see where the railway line actually goes between Kirup and Balingup.”
For Evelyn, the Kirup Camino was a meaningful way to reconnect with past teachers and friends from her hometown community of Bridgetown. Throughout the day, Evelyn and her group journeyed through lush landscapes, stopping for lunch at the Mullayup fire station and taking in the peaceful surroundings.
Her preparation was light but meaningful. She went on a few riverside walks with her mum, which allowed her to break in her walking boots for the Year 9 camp.

Strengthening Bonds and Embracing Nature
“I really wanted to find out what a Camino was… Plus, it was a great way of catching up with other members of the St Brigid’s Parish in Bridgetown.”
For Susan, the Kirup Camino was a beautiful blend of nature, spirituality, and community. Inspired by stories of Spain’s famed Camino, she embraced the opportunity to experience the pilgrimage concept close to home. Along the railway lined with jarrah trees and orchards, Susan enjoyed the company of her community, some who had taught Evelyn in primary school.
Sharing the experience with Evelyn made it even more special. As a mother-daughter tradition, the Kirup Camino is now a unique addition to their holiday walks.
Overcoming Challenges Together
The walk wasn’t without its challenges. Evelyn mentioned her mum’s fear of heights, which surfaced as they crossed the Blackwood River on old railway sleepers. However, with a supportive group and each other, they made it across and were reminded of the strength they shared in these bonding moments.

Looking Forward to Next Year
This experience was so meaningful that both Evelyn and Susan are looking forward to making it an annual tradition. The parish is planning to hold the event annually on 1 October to honour the feast day of St Therese. The Kirup Camino is set to become a beautiful fixture in their yearly schedule. Susan hopes it will continue to be a time for the family to reconnect, while Evelyn looks forward to another adventure on the trail.
For Evelyn, experiences like the Kirup Camino bridge the gap between school and home, creating memories that last a lifetime.
- Boarding, CommunityBonding, Featured, KirupCamino, MotherDaughterJourney, Pilgrimage, SpiritualJourney
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.

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