MLA

Last week MLA attended Sovereign Hill Camp in Ballarat. The students had a wonderful time exploring the living museum and participating in a wide range of activities, including gold panning, exploring the Red Hill mine, learning about tools and clothing of the past, candle dipping, bowling, gold pour demonstration, sweet manufacturing, shopping and the Aura light and sound show. We were very lucky with the weather and enjoyed making lasting memories together. 

The students demonstrated their dispositions as they dived into each opportunity with curiosity, resilience, risk-taking, creativity and collaboration. Our young prospectors felt the highs and lows of the Gold Rush and were transported back in time, interacting with costumed characters and walking through the many exhibitions and buildings. A big thank you to all the staff who supported us and to our families for their wonderful support in preparing the students.

MLA Camp Reflections

Jessica: I am going to talk about the Red Mine Tour in Sovereign Hill. The Red Mine Tour was a brilliant experience to see. Also, we were being led down the mine by a voice activated man. Later, in the mine as we were walking, there was a mini waterfall. We had to listen to the man so we would not get wet. After we jumped over the small blue waterfall we saw the Welcome Stranger, the 2nd largest gold nugget in the world. There was a projected show about how they found the gold nugget. Soon after there was a bright light shining down at the sculpture of the Welcome Stranger. We got to feel how the gold nugget would feel in real life! It was so cool, but it was the end of the journey, so we headed back up the 52 stairs to the shining light. 

Roman: Red Hill Mine 

I really loved the Red Hill Mine. Firstly, there was an amazing 12-minute tutorial with a voice guide that sounded super realistic. It gave us directions around the mine. 

Secondly, it was 30 meters deep which really BLEW my mind!  

And finally, MLA saw a holographic film explaining how the world’s second biggest gold nugget was found. 

I highly recommend you go to the Red Hill Mine in Sovereign Hill Ballarat. 

Thank you for reading.   

Dylan: Lolly Making

Sizzle the Lollies went on the fire! They were 600 degrees hotter than getting your hand burnt in the oven. Nice and smooth rolling through the mold. You can smell the raspberry drops as soon as you walked in, your brain washed by the raspberry drops. You can taste it and it is so good your mouth starts to water. They must wear gloves but back in the day they used flour for gloves, so they don't get burnt.

Joshua Z: Gold Panning at Sovereign Hill

Gold Panning is when you explore for gold using a metal plate with water and shake it to find gold. When you are searching for gold, you will get wet so be careful! About 0.5% of people found gold. They are mini specs, and they are shiny and illuminous. They come in different sizes and if you find some you are lucky because you could get over $100. You might have the lucky opportunity to find gold. 

Lachlan: The Night Show

The night show was very exciting. It was so realistic I forgot we were wearing 3D glasses. There was this incredible Aboriginal grass light show projected on a hill and it looked like the grass was moving. It’s not a screen so I got so confused.  At the end they set up a reenactment of the Eureka Stockade. 

As we saw a building burn there was a BANG!!!!!!!!! 

I loved the night show, it was amazing.

Isaac: The Night Show 

Crash! Rocks flew everywhere for a minute. I think I will be crushed by a massive space asteroid...

But I forgot I was wearing 3D glasses! Yes, that is right. We were able to watch a space movie. It was magnificent. The movie showed us how the Earth has evolved over millions of years! It also showed us how important gold was to the formation of the Earth. I personally thought that the night show was the best part of the camp because I love the way the Earth was made. 

Grace: Candle Making 

For school camp we went to Sovereign Hill. My favourite activity was candle making. I liked candle making because you got to choose what your candle looks like. If you wanted white, you got white, if you wanted rainbow, you got Rainbow. You could make anything! My colours were pink and blue.  

Matthew B: Gold Pouring  

“Woah!” everyone went as the gold sizzled. We were in awe as the blacksmith made 24 carat gold right in front of our eyes. The Blacksmith said, “So first you melt the gold, then you put it in the mold. Also be very careful because it’s very hot. After it has been set you put it in water and ta-da! 24 carat gold! We have used this singular gold bar for 35 years now.” As I walked out, I can’t help but miss the activity so that's why I'm writing this now!

Alexia: Panning for gold

On the 14th and the 15th of March we went to Sovereign Hill.

All the things that we did were fun, but I really liked the panning for gold. It was the best.

There was shovels and pans to help us find some gold. I dug and panned but found nothing. My friend Harper found some gold.

I felt really happy for her. My activity teacher said, "it's time to go to our next activity."

 I hope you enjoyed my piece of writing.