Humanities News

Mary TAYLOR

Classroom Teacher - Geography

HU636: Geography Excursion

Students in the Geography elective ‘For Richer For Poorer’ have been studying poverty and inequality in the world from a geographical perspective. As part of our study of inequality in Melbourne, the class visited various locations in order to investigate issues of homelessness and the differences in living conditions between suburbs. 

The morning was spent in the central business district (CBD), with students completing a scavenger hunt to see how easily they could find life’s necessities such as safe and secure shelter, clean water and healthy food options (with only limited funds). Most found it more difficult than they expected! Next, it was off to ‘The Big Issue’ for a workshop on homelessness. Students got the chance to take part in a range of activities as well as the opportunity to hear one man’s personal experience of being homeless.

After lunch, students visited two very different suburbs – Richmond and Toorak. They completed sketches and observation tables as a way of identifying the unique geographic characteristics of these regions and they will compare these with statistical data once back in class. A big thank you to Mrs Naidoo and Miss McQueen for accompanying us and well done to the students for their exemplary behaviour on the day!