Intro to Outdoor Ed Glenelg Bushwalk

On the 4th of June, our class swapped textbooks for backpacks and headed into the wild for a hike along the Great Southwest Walk, along the Glenelg River – and what a trip it was!

As soon as we arrived, we wasted no time setting up our tents. With pegs flying and tent poles doing their best to confuse us, we finally got our little place to sleep, set up. Once camp was set, we fired up our trusty Trangia’s and cooked up a feast that would make any MasterChef judge proud - pasta, delicious curries, and even a few toasted marshmallows for dessert.

But the real magic happened after the sun went down below the trees. With only our torches and the moonlight to guide us, we played an amazing game of hide and seek. Shadows became hiding spots, and every movement in the bushes sent chills down our spines. Laughter echoed through the trees as we sprinted between tents and trees, trying not to give away our hiding spots.

Later, we gathered around the campfire, playing games with Malory and Mr. Hopkins, and warming our hands while the flames crackled. The stars above looked close enough to touch, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only people in the world.

The next morning, we woke to the sound of silence and the ice-cold air. After a quick breakfast, we packed up, cleaned every trace of our stay, and made sure the campsite looked even better than when we arrived. Then, with tired legs and happy hearts, we hiked back to the school bus, stopping occasionally to have a look at the breathtaking view.

It was more than just a bushwalk - it was a mini adventure we’ll never forget.

-Jasmine

Music and Drama Camp

A bunch of musical and dramatic students went to ‘The Outside Inn’ for a day or two of learning lines for the musical, complex dance moves, songs for the eisteddfod and the music night and fun and challenging activities.

The floor of the old scout hall didn’t collapse through the stomping, Pirouetting and drama games like ‘frog in space’, which we’re all grateful for. The songs ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Ride on’ and ‘Misty’ began to take shape and would be used in the future for both the music night and the eisteddfod. The camp catered for us very well with campfire cooked chicken and veggies as well as the usual camp cuisine. Preparing some salad rolls with a few students was only interrupted briefly as they needed to change their status to ‘cooking’… I feel old.

Overall, it was a brilliant and very useful get away and served to focus our students effectively for the upcoming musical and dramatic challenges.

Gunditjmara Country Visit

The Year 8s went to the Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). The purpose of the field trip was to answer the research question – “What are the cultural, spiritual, aesthetic and economical values of the Tyrendarra IPA and how it is being protected,” as well as describe the Tyrendarra lava flow. We all took a bus on the 28th of May 2025. We chose to go because it is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Western Victoria.

The Tyrendarra lava flow is a long channel of molten rock. To follow it you must go from Mt Napier (Tappoc) and head west. Then it flows to the Byaduk caves where you can continue going west until you get to Condah Swamp, then go south. At Lake Condah head west. You will find yourself at Whittle Bury Swamp, then go south. When you get to Homerton Swamp, go west then south. The lava flow then ends at the beach.

On the field trip we went out to Tyrendarra and learnt about the Tyrendarra IPA and the lava flow. We learnt that Gunditj means belonging to, and Mara means people or men together -so all together Gunditjmara means belonging to people. Men structured the community; the men made all the rules. The family groups were organised by when the girls reached about 12 years of age, then they were married through an arranged marriage or traded to a different tribe. The boundaries of Gunditjmara Country are the Hopkins River to the east, Glenelg River to the west, the Wannon River from the north and the ocean from the south. The population before colonisation was about seven thousand people.

On the trip we learnt a couple of stories. One of the stories is Bunjil the creator of life sent down four of his sons, Budj Bim, Tappoc/ MNT Napier who made the landscape around you. The lava flow was Budj Bim and Tappocs blood.

After colonization all the Gunditjmara were put into mission. They were not allowed to learn how to weave and Maude explained, she would beg her grandmother to teach them, but she said if I teach you the police will take your children and me away, and you will never see me again. Of course by then it wouldn’t have happened, but she was so scared that the authorities were going to take them away. Finally, their grandmother gave in and went into a dark room closed all the blinds and showed the children how to weave eel baskets, so because their grandmother showed them how to weave their ancient technique was not lost forever.

The Gunditjmara people lived on the lava flow and developed one of the largest aquaculture sites in the world that made it stable for living. Around the lava flow the Gunditjmara people built stone huts, the stone huts were made from mud, clay, and the volcanic rocks. As their families grew, they would make more huts. They would also trade the eeks and family members for other things they need to survive.

I learnt that the stone hut are a part of the world heritage listing. Many Australian believe the Indigenous people were nomadic but the Gunditjmara stayed in houses and did not move from place to place.

I also learnt that the eel traps were only allowed to be woven by women. Gunditjmara used the rocks to divert the water flow into the swamp where the eels would have to follow it and they would have the traps ready to catch them. They could also put the eels in a swamp, also known as ‘the fridge’. The fridge was one of the ways they could store the food and could go in and grab as many eels as they want to eat, but they did not kill them all because if they did there would be no eels next season.

The Tyrendarra IPA is an extremely sensitive, diverse site that is so import it is world heritage listed. It was once a farm but thankfully the farmer did not bulldoze some of the indigenous stone huts. That same farmer wanted to sell his farm, but he didn’t go to a real estate agent and sell it because he saw the cultural value of the site and sold it to Winda-Mara who proceeded to turn it into the Tyrendarra IPA (Indigenous Protected Area). IPAs are there to protect and preserve the landscape. Winda Mara is not even allowed to dig up the land. Aunty Colleen said “if you even set as much as a toe on a rock, it is a $120000 fine.” They are also bringing cultural fire burns back to the site, which protects the area as well as helping the native plants grow and thrive.

The Tyrendarra IPA has such a high cultural value to Indigenous and non- Indigenous people because it is where the Gunditjmara ancestors lived, hunted, and played. The Tyrendarra IPA has such a significant spiritual value because of the landscape. The Gunditjmara believe the Budj Bim lava flow was once were blood Budj Bim. The economic value is the aquaculture which sustained them for the 6 to 7000 years. Now the economic value is tourism and education. The IPA has such a big aesthetic value not just because how beautiful it is but how old the site is. The Gunditjmara people have been farming and living on the lava flow for 6000-7000 years. Now that there is an IPA, The Gunditjmara will be able to look after and tend to the land.

- Brennan

Hamilton Eisteddfod

We took two ensembles to the eisteddfod recently. A young band featuring Jenna Charman, Charlotte Dahl and Charlie Evans playing in an ensemble section. The band played very well while facing some strong competition and earned themselves an honourable mention.

We had another band entered in the ‘Open Jazz Ensemble’ section of the eisteddfod. I particularly enjoy being entered in an ‘open’ section, as that allows us (Mr. Hunter, Ms Haller and I) to play with the band.

We called ourselves The Baimbridge College All-Star Jazz Ensemble and featured a great variety of students with an equally wide range of abilities. We secured a first place, a trophy and some high praise from the adjudicator. It was a fun experience and well worth the late night.

Legacy Public Speaking

On Wednesday 4 June, two Year 8 students participated in the 2025 Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition in Hamilton. This is an annual event, held at Legacy House, in which students from local schools in Hamilton and Portland come together in a supportive environment to test and develop their public speaking skills.

The first task for our two participants, Sophia and Raine, was to each deliver a 5-minute prepared speech on a subject relating to the ideals of voluntary service, social justice, caring, personal effort, personal sacrifice and/or mateship. Both students had thoroughly prepared interesting and engaging speeches. Sophia spoke about the significance and benefits of strong communities, while Raine discussed the importance of music.

The second, and final, challenge for all participants was to give a 2-minute impromptu speech. They each had 5 minutes to prepare a response to the topic: ‘What is your biggest concern for the future’. Delivering a speech with little time to prepare can be both daunting and difficult, but Sophie and Raine embraced the challenge!

A special mention must go to Georgia who also attended the event, providing the participating students with much-appreciated support and encouragement. Overall, the three students who attended reported that it was a fun experience and a great learning opportunity. They should be congratulated on demonstrating all three of our school values – pride, courage, and respect - in one day!

-Mrs Churchill

Music Night

Our regular ‘Dungeon’ concerts, and both the recent camp and eisteddfod all contributed to the success of our music night in the gym recently.

The evening served to showcase what we’ve been working on recently in an evening that looked, as well as sounded, very polished and professional.

The evening featured Charlotte Dahl, Jenna Charman and Hannah Bradbury as soloists, our All-Star Jazz Ensemble, and an ‘all-in’ cover of ‘Mustang Sally’. Other bands performed very well and the whole night was well attended and well received.

Year 10 Camp

On June 24th, 2025, our year 10 students set out on a three day adventure to Melbourne, designed to expose them to the diverse opportunities and pathways available beyond the classroom. This camp wasn’t just about exploring the city, it was about opening our minds and envisioning new possibilities.

Our first stop in Geelong gave us a glimpse into Uni-life as we explored their Deakin campus. Between massive libraries, solar powered cars, and a FIFA grade soccer pitch, students were engrossed in the possibilities of tertiary education.

From the uni campus to an Ice rink students showed off their skills as some glided like penguins and others fell like baby deer. With Layla Slater skating rings around us as Seth Welsh, well Seth must’ve thought it was a slip and slide.

With tired eyes we hit day two, heading to the Malborne Cricket Academy where we explored the sporting facilities including the Gym, Pools, and marketing area. All while Mr Hopkins stood starry eyed watching cricketers train. Students gained insight on the RMIT course run for cricketers where students learn how to get into the workforce, make connections, and different marketing techniques.

Our next stop was The Melbourne Holocaust Museum, where we first got to see there Memorial room, coated from floor to ceiling with the Star of David. Then in smaller groups we toured the museum where we saw artefacts and stories of survivors. We then had the opportunity to speak with John Lamovie a holocaust survivor. Students had the opportunity to ask him questions and listen to the tales of his life. His final message to us being

“You are lucky enough to have a ‘computer’ in your head. You have a brain. Use it, always ask questions, learn everything you can, and never stop asking, why?”

For dinner Wednesday night students explore, Fortress, a restaurant that included Ps games, an Arcade, and more. With one hour of arcade time, students raced on Motorcycles, played piano and air hockey, all while Ross Hopkins missed the punching bag repeatedly. Then sat down to a nice meal and a night of defeating our friends in Mario Kart, Mario Golf, and many other games.

Arriving back at the hotel the fun did not end, as the girls settled in to watch pitch perfect two, the boys were busy searching for jack Reynolds’ Ice coffee, which little did he know, he had left in the lobby and the girls now had.

The final day students explored the Academy of Interactive Technology (AIT) and learned about pathways to do with creative design. Including there 2D and 3D design courses, as well as film and mobile app development.

-Elizabeth

Year 11 & 12 VM Outside In Camp

Last week the Year 11 and 12 students headed out to “Outside In” at the Wannon for VM Camp. The Year 12s were in charge of running and organising the whole thing, from planning the activities to keeping everything on track. Across the two days, we worked in groups of three, scoring points in each activity as we gave things a go and pushed ourselves to try new things. It was all about teamwork, problem-solving and getting involved outdoors.

Throughout the week we took on exciting challenges such as canoeing along the Wannon River, exploring bushwalks walking along the Wannon to check out all of the lookouts while doing quizzes along the way to gain points and conquering their fears on the Giant Swing.

At night we gave outdoor cooking a go by making roast chicken and veggies in Dutch ovens. Not only did it fill us up after a big day but it was fun to do something hands-on as a group.

On Friday the excitement continued with tower games that pushed students to communicate effectively, strategize under pressure and support each other as they tackled various challenges together.

VM Camp wasn’t just about the outdoor activities, it was a chance to build important skills we can use in the workplace. We worked on teamwork, communication, problem-solving and staying positive when things didn’t go to plan. These are all skills that will come in handy no matter what job we end up in.

We’re proud of how the camp turned out and how smoothly everything ran. It was a great opportunity for us as Year 12s to step up, take the lead and put our planning into action. The Year 11s got involved, gave everything a go and made it a really positive experience. We’re looking forward to seeing how they take on the challenge of running it next year.

-Holly

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