Duke of Edinburgh

The recent Duke of Edinburgh expedition to Bunyip truly delivered four seasons in a single trip, testing the resilience and adaptability of our 28 participating students. 

The expedition commenced in challenging conditions, with persistent rain greeting our students from the start—rain, rain, and more rain. The wet conditions brought unexpected encounters with leeches along the trail, adding an extra element of bushland adventure as students tackled a steep hill climb that tested their endurance and determination.

As the group emerged from the demanding climb, the weather began its dramatic transformation. The torrential rain gave way to cloudy conditions, providing a welcome reprieve. By lunchtime, the clouds broke to reveal beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures, lifting spirits considerably and providing perfect conditions for the afternoon leg of the journey. 

Mother Nature had one more surprise in store, with overnight temperatures plummeting below zero degrees. This sudden cold snap meant students experienced the full spectrum of weather conditions within a 24-hour period. All 28 students demonstrated remarkable adaptability throughout the expedition, managing wet weather gear, wildlife encounters, challenging terrain, and extreme temperature variations—truly embodying the spirit of the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.