Duke of Edinburgh

During the April school holidays, 20 students from Years 10 – 12 packed their hiking gear, ready for a journey along the Grampians Peak Trails route from Halls Gap to Borough Huts camping ground. Keeping possessions to a bare minimum and taking some creative food ideas, we headed into the beautiful outdoors, where kangaroos, emus and kookaburras met us with eager delight, especially while cooking meals at our first campsite.

The trials of choosing the shortest yet steepest trail took quick affect with pack adjustments and clothing stops. Navigators kept checking the contours, while hikers kept quizzing how long to go. However, when we paused at our first stop to admire the view, there was an increased appreciation of the efforts and energy required by the hike.

Energy remained positive and supportive with some massive learning curves happening on our first and second day. Moving tents at the last minute to ensure safety from dropping limbs, wearing cooler layers at the beginning of a steep hike and eating heavy food early on in the journey were all lessons that contributed to a more comfortable experience going forward.

But here it from the mouths of our now-experienced hikers: 

I’ve now been on three Duke of Ed camps, and this most recent one to the Grampians was probably my favourite yet.

 

In our packs we brought the absolute essentials: dehydrated meals, sleeping mats and rain jackets, while on the other hand, our beloved media expert, Troy, brought a mini fridge, a giant battery and somehow, a solar panel.

 

Before we set off, I’d only seen a few photos of the national park on google, but actually being there was something else. We were hiking through mist, surrounded by huge rock formations and cliffs that looked out onto amazing views, and even with the occasional light rain, it was an incredible environment to be in.

 

Of course, it wasn’t always easy. There were drop toilets, our heavy packs and the challenge of hammering tent pegs into literal solid rock. But what made the camp worthwhile was going through it all together, sharing the struggle and embracing the experience as a group.

 

One memorable moment for me was when my tentmates and I were finally warm and settled into our sleeping bags at lights out, only to hear Ms Sheehan calling us to come back outside into the rain, unpin our tent and move the whole thing, because apparently we were underneath a tree branch that could fall and kill us at any moment. Spoiler, it didn’t fall!

 

I’ll look back on this camp fondly and to anyone completing their Duke of Ed, if you have the opportunity to join one of these camps, I highly recommend you do so. 

- Dylan S

When I signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially going four days and three nights hiking at the Grampians National Park.

 

Over the course of the camp, we pushed ourselves in ways we didn’t know were possible. Whether it was hiking to the Pinnacle, walking to each campsite with all our gear, or just getting through long days on our feet, it challenged us both physically and mentally.

 

Even with 20-kilogram backpacks, we blasted music and pushed each other to keep going. Every day, we made it to our campsites, set everything up, and just enjoyed each others company. Sitting down together as a team for dinner after a long day was honestly one of the best parts of my journey.

 

It wasn’t always easy, but that’s what made it such a great experience. We learned how to keep going when things got tough and how to rely on each other to get us through.

 

Overall, the experience wasn’t just about completing a journey or earning a badge; it was about the growth that came with it, and that’s what made it truly worthwhile. 

- Thalia D

I look forward to planning our next journey with our Silver Year 10 students heading to Cathedral Range State Park in August. Until then……I ‘ll see you out there!

Ms Tamara Sheehan

Duke of Ed Coordinator