World Challenge 

The World Challenge practice hike to Gembrook was cancelled 2 weeks ago due to the damage caused by the Bunyip Bushfires which resulted in poor air quality in and around Gembrook.

The students participated in a “City Experience” putting into practice some of the skills they will need when they travel to Vietnam and Cambodia at the end of the year.

The 27 students and four staff members met the World Challenge Leaders at Mentone Station. It was here that their day began. There were some introduction games to learn some names. The Leaders both had quite a large “Kit Bag” which, when on expedition, the girls will need to divide and carry. There was a first aid kit, rope, satellite phone, space blanket, trowel and large parachute for the girls to huddle under in case of an emergency. We did look a bit strange as we threw the parachute up in the air on the lawns of Mentone Station and then drew it in close so that we all sat inside it.

The girls had to navigate around the City and get the group on and off public transport, making sure we did not lose anybody on the way. I think both groups adopted the “count off…….1,2,3,4 etc” ……..to ensure all of the group was there.

We made our way to The Queen Victoria Market where the girls were able to wander around the food court to work out what they would spend their $10.00 on. This was their food budget for the day. Everybody appeared to be quite full. There was even some money left over in our group to purchase some delicious hot jam doughnuts before we hopped back on the tram.

The girls spoke about a lot of important things when travelling: keeping healthy, hygiene, washing hands, medication, hydration, safety, staying in groups of 3-4 and communication.

Overall the girls enjoyed the city experience and loved meeting their World Challenge Leader for their expedition. We will need to find another time to complete the “hiking component” of the practice expedition.

Maree Clark, Steve Brown,

Elaine Bracciale, Jaime Wallace

World Challenge Staff