Year 10 Camp  

Discovering Country is our Western District Indigenous Studies Camp. It is a great time to be able to listen to Indigenous people, to learn, to respect and to tread lightly on the land. For the first half of the trip, we stayed in Gariwerd (the Grampians), which is in Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung Country and then for the second half we stay in Portland in Gunditjmara Country. 

In Gariwerd, as well as hikes and other outdoor activities such as the flying fox, giant swing and archery, we spent time learning about Jardwardjali culture. With Jardwardjali Elder, Aunty Nerissa, we visited significant cultural sites, such as Bunjil’s Shelter, where  she explained the importance of these sites and the Dreaming connected to those areas.

The second half of the camp was based in Portland. We took a day trip to visit the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, which includes Budj Bim National Park, Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre and Kurtonitj. Our Gunditjmara guide, Jayden, shared with us about the world’s oldest aquaculture system and everything you would ever need to know about eels. 

We also spent time at Tower Hill, with Uncle Brett Clarke we learnt about bush tucker, medicinal plants and Gunditjmara tools and weapons. 

Back in Portland, with Shea, we learnt about the local Portland area, Gunditjmara culture, and in particular, the impacts of colonisation on this area. This included the conflict between the whalers and local Gundijmara people, which involved a massacre of Gundjitmara people at the Convincing Ground in the 1830s.

It was really special for me and for students to begin to see the links between what we had been looking at in class and what we learnt and experienced on camp. 

Natalie Thomas

Secondary Teacher

Highlights from me would be how well students connected together (which is part of our deep hope!) and how a group of students and staff gathered together to worship during free time in Portland!

Todd Mahoney

Year 10 Coordinator & Secondary Teacher

For me the highlight is always hearing more about First Nations history - the account of the Convincing Ground, indigenous tools and weapons at Tower Hill and the fascinating stories at Budj Bim (who knew there was so much to learn about the life cycle of an eel?!). But this year was extra special with the student-led times of prayer, praise and worship.

Beth Smith

Secondary LA

Unexpectedly meeting the Federal Science Minister, Tim Ayres, and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Tony Haymet at Budj Bim and having Tim speak to the students about their visit not only gave the students access to engage with a federal politician but also reinforced the value of this site. 

I appreciated the vulnerability of key Indigenous leaders who engaged with us during the week - Shea and Jayden. Despite being very knowledgeable about their people’s story, and many other topics such as shark fossils and managing a UNESCO World Heritage site, there was a readiness to acknowledge that they are still on a journey to recapture their culture, given the obstacles of past policies and practices of suppression. 

Doug Allison

Secondary Teacher & Humanities Faculty Leader