Year 9 CLC Program

Our Year 9 CLC Excursion Season took the cohort Interstate today, with two challenge-based sessions in Albury focusing on key CLC concepts Trust, Teamwork and Empathy.

Indoor Climbing was first on the menu at the Albury Climbing Centre, with the kids teamed in groups of 3, with Teamwork and Trust the key building blocks. Emily McCullough was the first to reach the roof, and from then on, the cohort spent 2 hours climbing and pushing themselves out of their Comfort Zones.

The infamous Double-Overhang Cliffhanger Climb, which only few over the years have conquered, was, remarkably, beaten by 4 of our boys today - the most we have ever seen on the one day. The athletic James Chisholm was first to conquer it, followed by group members Sam Morey and Brodie Stafford, and then Bradley McKenna.

Other climbers to stand out were Normie Suter, whose persistence saw her conquer a tough climb, London Sloan, Georgia Hope, Emily McCullough and Jasmina Scott, who were all over various walls for the entire two hours, Sam Morey who also knocked off a number of different climbs, and Miley Heenan and Bradley McKenna, who were Speed Demons.

Thanks to owner Chris, a supporter of CLC for 10 years, who did us one final favour in allowing us to be the last group to ever climb at the Centre before it closes down.

CLC Family Lunch was in the beautiful Albury Botanical Gardens, again served by staff, and the Final Act was a hike up Monument Hill to the Albury War Memorial - a 900m distance up an elevation of 70m. Legs were burning, a Blue Tongue Lizard was spotted on the way, the view across Albury was the reward at the top, and discussions about Empathy for the Fallen Soldiers topped off an extremely powerful day by a group which continues to prove themselves one of our best ever.

• Jud Mullins - CLC Coordinator