Tournament of Minds

Our journey to the Tournament of Minds International final started over a term ago, when our team read the Regional Challenge for the first time. It took a lot of hard work, dedication and an occasional bar of chocolate but our team finally found a solution to this problem and presented it at the Regional Finals. Fortunately, we won this, and we were headed to the State Finals along with all of the other Girton teams.

The State Finals were another success, with our team winning the competition. We were off to Hobart!!

Over the next few weeks we busily prepared for the next competition. At this level we would be required to solve a problem in 3 hours. Our solution would be presented in a 10-minute performance, and as we were in the Arts, our solution would probably need to involve singing and dancing. In addition to this, we would also need to solve a Spontaneous problem. We had only 4 minutes to solve this problem and were judged on our teamwork and creativity.

Finally, it was time to head to Hobart. We met on a Thursday morning loaded up with our suitcases and climbed onto the airport bus (or more accurately, the No One Loves Me Bus). Only after we were on the bus did we realise that we had forgot some of our musical instruments. Let’s just say that at this point panic ensued. Luckily someone was available to bring them for us, and we were safely on our way to the airport.

We arrived safely in Hobart around 4 and met with the Northern Territory teams. They had an eight-hour delay in Sydney, which made our 45 minutes look quite pitiful. Belongings were quickly gathered as we were eager to get on our way. The bus was buzzing with excitement as we drove over the bridge into Hobart, taking in all the sights of this coastal city. After arriving at the hotel we were allocated our rooms and got dressed, ready for some exploring.

Hobart, as our team quickly discovered, has all the charm of a coastal town. The docks are lined with fish and chips shops, one of which we soon found ourselves eating dinner at. Then we headed back to the hotel, ready for another big day in Hobart.

The next day was the day of the Opening Ceremony. After getting up (too) early, we headed down to the venue- city hall. We made it there incredibly easily (or not, for of course we got lost!) The streets were filled with different coloured shirts and people from all around Australia and beyond. It was really incredible to see how big Tournament of Minds really is. The Opening Ceremony was also wonderful, with a fun and moving Welcome to Country that got everyone involved. We also learnt about some of the dangers facing our native wildlife from one of the rangers at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tournament of Minds had organised some activities to complete for the rest of the day, so we climbed on another bus, this time to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Unfortunately, the rain settled in when we arrived, but we still managed to see some animals. After this we hopped onto another bus and went to Richmond- home of the oldest bridge in Australia. Our team spent time exploring the quaint old town, before going back to Hobart and preparing for the next day- the competition.

If we though the early morning on Friday had been bad, well Saturday morning was even worst. After getting up at 5:30, the team was buzzing with excitement, and maybe sleep deprivation as well. It was the day of the competition, and all of hard work had been building up to this moment. As we sat in the lecture theatre we discussed our game plan for the day.

We entered our lock down room at just before 9. The problem was an interesting one, but we eventually cam up with a solution- albeit a very improvised one. Luckily our team was great at adlibbing!

Over the lunch break our nerves grew, but we managed to keep it together. We sat through all the other state’s performance until it was finally time for our performance. Our team all stared at the clock, waiting for it to finally hit 3:20 so that we could start our performance. The next 10 minutes were a blur, but we somehow made our way through it, the solution kept together with dad jokes and the occasional impromptu song.

We were so relieved when we finished the performance, and felt happy with what we had put up. Now it was time to relax and head to the Derwent Entertainment Centre, where the Award Ceremony was held.

The atmosphere was electric- our team sat surrounded by other members of Team Victoria, everyone cheering and supporting each other. We sat through all the presentations until it was time for the Arts to be presented. And we got… Honours! We were so proud of the time and what we had accomplished. Everyone ran up to the stage and received our medals, with huge smiles on our face.

Sadly, we headed home the next day. Our Tournament of Minds journey had ended.

Tournament of Minds Internationals was an incredible experience. I met so many new and like-minded people, and grew so much as a person. You gain so many valuable life-skills, so please consider giving this experience a go in the years to come.

Thanks to Mrs Bath, Mrs Maruff and all the other teachers who made this TOM experience possible.

Zoe MacGregor