Alliance at Eildon

Mark Haebich

Teacher - Bushwhacked

Both Bushwhacked classes travelled up to Lake Eildon for our second outdoor program of the year. 

This program was supported by Rubicon Outdoor School and had a focus on collaboration and first nations knowledge and perspectives. As part of the assessment task associated with this experience all students prepared and delivered an acknowledgement of country.  As this program took place during Reconciliation Week, it is fitting include one of these student acknowledgements here:

I would like to acknowledge the Taungurung past, present and future Elders for the land on which we meet. I thank the Taungurung people; they are the custodians of the country where we stand. I would also like to extend my acknowledgement to all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for there ongoing contribution to the country. 

Although using the same venues, the two Bushwhacked classes stayed largely separate for this trip. All students completed a challenging overnight hike into Mountaineer Creek for which they carried all of their equipment, clothing and food. All groups were based out of the Devil’s Cove and Candlebark campgrounds and used these basecamps to access the overnight hikes as well as a day of rafting down the Goulburn River. 

All students presented a story which explained their understanding of collaboration, and this task was done very well across both classes. 

On the final day, students contributed to the health and biodiversity of the local environment by spending the morning working with a local Landcare Group cleaning up rubbish and eradicating introduced plants. See the following student reflections for further insight into the outcomes and learnings of the program.

Caitlyn Slade

Year 9

On the first day we made it to camp late afternoon and went through some things that were going to happen, and set up camp. Tuesday we packed our bags and set out on a 15km walk. Lily distracted us when we were going through difficult parts by telling us plots to TV shows and movies. Towards the end of the hike we climbed up a massive hill that seemed as if it was neverending. When we made it to the top of the hill we were all relieved because the rest of the track was down hill. That night we set up camp and heard a few stories by the fire. The next morning (Wednesday) we set out to climb back up the hill and back to our basecamp. It was shorter, but harder, walk.  Neko and I managed to fall down four times! 

On Wednesday night Lily, Peggy and I all decided it be a great idea to eat a raw onion. Amelia took a little nibble of it too - before saying that we were crazy! Thursday we were on the river [and] we went down rapids before stopping for lunch then continuing to the end.  Then Lily, Neko, Amelia, Peggy and I all ended up jumping into the water. Friday we did some community service before heading home.

Peggy Ford

Year 9

Over the 5 days I went on an overnight hike, canoed down a river, made new friends and learned to collaborate with people better. 

When we arrived on Monday we quickly set up our tents and had dinner. On Tuesday we woke up early, packed up our bags and went of on the hike, with me as the leader. When we arrived at our overnight camp spot we all collapsed exhausted, before forcing ourselves to set up the tents. We woke up early the next morning, packed our bags and set out. We went a shorter but more mountainous route back to the basecamp. When we arrived back we sent up camp again and had dinner before I presented my collaboration story, ate a raw onion with my new friends, and went to sleep. 

On Thursday we all got ready to go canoeing, choosing our canoe partners when Mr. Haebich decided that we all must go with a person of the opposite gender. [Liam and I]   we went down the river together. Near the end of the day he had a dare with his friends about whether or not they would jump in, and when he did jump I ended up jumping in after him. When I figured out I couldn't get back in the canoe [Liam] pulled me out. When I jumped in again he pulled me back out again! 

On Friday we met up with the other group and did environmental conservation stuff together before going home.

Amelia Macdonald

Year 9

During our trips, we learned about all aspects of collaborating when canoeing cooperatively with people we wouldn't normally canoe with. I also used [thee skills] when hiking with people that I don't normally talk to. I also spent a lot of time with the people I had to work with through out the camp.

Daniel Phillips

Year 9

We worked on traveling in a group to and from a location. We also did a hike with packs for the first time and I could do something other than a base camp for this trip. I really enjoyed working with a map despite my group's inability to do the map themselves. We also had a big focus on aboriginal culture and collaboration.

Indy Pappas

Year 9

On the Rubicon camp I used collaboration to work with my class in order to get things done. I contributed to group activities and I volunteered when jobs needed to be done. We did two bushwalks that added up to 22km when we completed them. 

On the first hike we walked along the lake and the second hike back we hiked up 3 mountains. I could see amazing views from the peak of the mountains and we were above the clouds for a lot of the time. On the camp we learned how to pack our hiking bags and what food to take so we wouldn't get hungry on the walks. On Thursday we did rafting and we had to be with someone from the opposite gender. I was with Zak and we worked well together once we got the hang of it. Overall, I enjoyed the trip and it was a good experience.

Felix Cassinides

Year 9

 I observed many things about the land, and I learned new things like how to canoe. This was also my first overnight hike so it was a very important skill to learn and develop upon as the heavy backpack made it very challenging. It also taught me how to read a map properly and choose the route that suits me or the group we are in.

Maddy McCay

Year 9

During the journey to Lake Eildon I appreciated the people around me and what they contributed to the group. I used collaboration to work with my classmates and Rubicon staff. I contributed to the camp by volunteering for jobs and helping others complete tasks. 

We did two bushwalks [and] had to carry our belongings on our back, so we learned about what to pack, how to pack it and about the equipment needed. 

On the second walking day we went up 3 big hills and encouraged each other to continue. I enjoyed kayaking on the fourth day and learned how to hold the paddle and all the equipment we needed. We learned how to paddle in different directions and work together well.

Liam Davis

Year 9

We went on some hikes and saw some good sights, [and] we learned to cook on Trangia's and set up our tents. We all worked together to do different things that needed to be done.

Clarisse Fallon

Year 9

On our journey I noticed that other people were doing well at community living which made our camp go smoothly. Even though some things didn't go as planned the camp was still very fun and enjoyable.

Abbey Billing

Year 9

 During my journey I used collaboration to help guide my walking group throughout hikes to our camp sites as well as helping out with the cooking of meals and washing up. While I was out camping I had a lot of fun but it also made me appreciate how lucky I am to have things like warm clothes and a dishwasher [at home].