Paddle Camp

Going bush on the Murray River

After a few weeks of evading crazy weather and preparing for a TRUE remote camping experience “going bush!”, our Year 11 Outdoor & Environmental Studies classes had a glorious few days paddling down the Murray for their Semester 2 expedition! 

With our open-top canoes packed to the brim; a little (surprise!) Dachshund in tow; and not knowing that waiting for us on Day 2 was the best rope swing most of us had ever experienced;  the convoy launched from Barmah National Park on Day 1 and smashed out an incredible 60km paddle to end at the beautiful and historic Port of Echuca. 

As their teachers, we are proud as PUNCH of how incredibly the students conducted themselves on this trip. We’ve spent the year building our minimal impact practices and it was such a privilege to see our students genuinely apply themselves in the field. 

With a little bit of training while on Bogong at the start of the year, this is the first camp programme where the group had to completely carry in/carry out all rubbish and be entirely self-sufficient (and extremely accountable!) with all gear and belongings from ‘Point A to B’. The team followed particularly strict Risk Management processes on the water (while enjoying the thrill that ‘risk taking adventures’ offer!); cooked on little camp stoves despite ALL the elements, braved the unknown and gave everything that came their way “a red hot crack”… to only name a few challenges! 

A camp like this can often be met with a lot of apprehension from staff (and students!) and we really have to be on their case, a bit naggy, and not always able to give the students the time and space they deserve. Howeve, the self-efficacy, maturity and initiative shown by this group, paired with unrelenting humour, patience and respect for others and the environment around them was truly so impressive. What an achievement! 

Congratulations to our amazing crew – we hope you had a wonderful time, as you deserve it for such hard work this year! An honourable mention for only a couple of “suspicious” capsizes, a big shoutout to our amazing support staff who attended and also all support staff and leadership who assisted us in getting there. 

A big CHEERS to fun times cruising down the Murray in the 2023 sunshine, with great food & even better people! 😊 

Rach Malcolm & Joshua Bartholomew, OES 1/2 teachers (and lucky ducks… getting to spend the time with such an amazing crew)