Year 9 Expeditions
Great Southwest Victoria Expedition
Dion Krivonos and Ellie-Peach Morley, Year 9
On Friday 12 September, 36 Year 9 students set off on the Great Southwest Expedition, beginning with a long bus ride to Kangaroobie in Princetown. On arrival, we jumped straight into navigation games and the Game of Life and Death, dodging teachers armed with water guns! After dinner, we enjoyed a night walk and relaxed with footy and hot chocolate.
Saturday was jam-packed with exciting challenges, including canoeing, the muddy obstacle course, fast-paced trailer rides through paddocks and Kangaroobie Survivor. We wrapped up the day with bush dancing, bringing back fun memories from Year 7.
On Sunday, we hiked to the Twelve Apostles, before heading to Warra Gnan in Warrnambool. The afternoon was a relaxing mix of lawn bowls, mini golf, dinner and a movie.
Monday began with an Indigenous tour at Tower Hill, where we donated funds raised through our walkathon and learned about traditional weapons and culture. Later, we biked along the coast and competed in the Amazing Race, before watching the Flagstaff Hill light and sound show.
On Tuesday, students could enjoy beach walks or fishing before heading to Grampians Retreat, where we planted native seeds and had a fun trivia night.
On Wednesday, we hiked up Piccaninny, then rotated through bush arts and archery, before ending the day with a campfire, songs and marshmallows.
Thursday was full of adventure, with mountain biking, the giant swing, flying fox and the challenging 10 km Mud-Dadjug hike. We capped off the evening with a lively dance party, which even our teachers joined in enthusiastically!
On Friday 19 September, we said goodbye to the staff and returned home. Though tired, we were grateful for the unforgettable experiences and the stronger bonds formed as a cohort.
Cape York Expedition
Barney Jones and Sarah O’Neill, Year 9
During the last week of Term 3, Year 9s set off on our Cape York Expedition, splitting into two groups to visit the Indigenous homelands of Gambiir and Guurriill in Far North Queensland.
GAMBIIR
In Gambiir, we were amazed by the lush, beautiful surroundings, nothing like we expected from Far North Queensland. We learned about the Guugu Yimithirr language, tried traditional weaving, spear making and throwing, dancing and singing, bushwalking, painting, and enjoyed Gurma, a traditional meal.
What made the experience truly special was the sense of family we were welcomed into. The extended family, spanning four generations, involved us in their daily lives, helping us see that their community is, in many ways, just like ours.
Watching the connections formed between us and both the younger and older family members was incredibly moving. We also contributed to the community by helping construct part of a fence line to protect the campsite from wild animals.
One of the highlights was gathering around the fire on the second day to talk openly with the family. It was an insightful experience to ask questions about personal struggles faced by Indigenous Australians, as well as hear their perspectives on 26 January and the Voice referendum. This is a visit we'll always remember.
GUURRIILL
While the other Year 9 group stayed at a rainforest-like camp, our group ventured further from the local Hopevale community to Guurriill. There, we met Lillian, a local language teacher, and Richard, who runs the cattle station where we camped. Highlights of our time at the homeland included learning 'Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' in Guugu Yimithirr, trying our hand at leather making, enjoying a traditional cowboy dinner, and taking a bushwalk on the owners’ land.
We were also lucky enough to each receive language names, something we could bring home. Other favourite activities included star gazing and visiting the stunning Isabella Falls, which was a welcome chance to refresh after a few days without showers.
As part of giving back to the community, we participated in a project to build showers for future Red Earth groups. The homeland stay also offered a unique insight into Dreamtime stories, as Lillian and Richard shared their personal connections to culture and country.
CAIRNS
On 16 September, we said goodbye to the homelands and headed to Cairns. Although the wet weather at first made us hesitant to swim, we were delighted to find that both reef days were filled with sunshine. From turtles to pirate fish, the Great Barrier Reef did not disappoint. Our time at Fitzroy Island was just as memorable, featuring a glass boat tour and opportunities to learn about the Indigenous history and culture of the surrounding lands.
The Cape York Expedition was an unforgettable experience, full of adventure, cultural insight and meaningful connections!
Year 9 Walk-a-thon
The Year 9 Walk-a-thon, held the week before the transformative expeditions, raised $6120 for Indigenous organisations.
Some of these funds were used to purchase materials for students to help construct a shower block at Guurriill and a fence at Gambiir.
Students on the Great Southwest Victoria trip visited Tower Hill, where they learned about the cultural significance of the region to the Gunditjmara people. They also presented a novelty cheque to Uncle Brett to support youth engagement programs and native revegetation social enterprises run by Worn Gundidj.
Through these efforts, our Year 9 students not only raised funds but actively contributed to the communities they visited, while learning about Indigenous culture and stewardship of the land.