Experiencing the outback

to Broken Hill and Beyond

The Year 12 Earth & Environmental Science Road Trip and Camp

Year 12 students from Cecil Hills High School who are completing the Earth and Environmental Science (EES) course were given the opportunity to travel to outback New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (VIC), under the supervision of Mr Vesey-Wells and Ms A Ha - from the 8 – 14 July 2018.

For many year 12 students, it was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a first-hand experience staying in the ‘outback’. It enhanced our perspective and knowledge of the EES curriculum, such as, the impacts of soil erosion, salinity as well as irrigation and introduced pests on the land.

We had the opportunity to visit small, unique country towns, such as Cobar, where we were confronted with the issues of kangaroos, goats, wild dogs, and pigs. We also saw first-hand the effects of drought and the impact it was having on farmers Dave and his son Mitch. With the assistance of the Wagga Wagga Council, we also undertook a salinity investigation; we learnt mitigation and management strategies for dry salinity.

What we got out of the experience was not limited to the EES syllabus. There were moments where we learnt things we did not expect, like how salty the tap water was or the extremity of the cold temperatures in comparison to Sydney, and things that a picture or words would never be able to describe, like the stars at night in Cobar or how it felt being in the struggling farmlands.

From the students, we deeply appreciate being given this opportunity, the time that the council workers and farmers had taken to enrich our knowledge, and to Mr Vesey-Wells for organising this amazing trip. It was certainly an experience that we will never forget and carry with us forever.

Faith Tran, Year 12 EES student