VCE Geography - Kinglake Fieldwork Trip - Student Reflection

Venturing 59km north-east of University High School, and deep into the foothills of the Murrindini and Nillumbik council, Mr Rogers’ Yr 11 Geography class were determined to investigate the tranquil and isolated township Kinglake. 

Luscious green eucalypt forests and native plants encompassing the National Park that surrounded them was deceiving of the past destruction that had swept past almost two decades ago. The Black Saturday bushfires.

Here, each student was set to conduct an extensive investigation into, ‘The extent did the Black Saturday bushfires impact Kinglake socially and environmentally?’ 

To determine this, the class employed a wide range of primary and secondary sources like comparative photographs, vegetation dissects, observational sketches and expert opinions which aided them in appropriately analyse and evaluate it’s extent. By doing so, students had a great opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the investigation as they visited various sites such as Mason Falls, Mount Sugarloaf and the Memorial Centre. 

Overall, the fieldwork provided a very enriching learning experience and gave students an opportunity to apply a learning style that is not typical in the everyday classroom.

Moreover, students were able to closely observe and examine how significant and detrimental a natural disaster can have on a community’s wellbeing and witness its great resilience and adaptability.

Abbey Kendell - Yr 11 Geography Student