Year 9 Expeditions
Year 9 Transformative Expeditions
Mark Williams, Dean of Year 9 Impact Program
As part of the Year 9 Impact Program, our students embarked on transformative one-week expeditions in October, choosing to explore either Cape York in Queensland or Great South West Victoria.
Here are some reflections from their camps.
Expedition to Cape York
Archie Fifoot and Kingsley Harjanta, Year 9
The Year 9 expedition to Cape York in Queensland was a mix of visiting the Indigenous homelands of Buru, Guurriill, and Melsonby, as well as exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
Our long-anticipated immersion began with an early flight to Cairns, from where we set off to our first Indigenous homelands.
Over the next six days, we were fortunate to meet with the traditional owners of the land. We gained invaluable knowledge about Aboriginal culture, traditions and the vital role natural resources play in their lives. We learned that caring for the land and ensuring it remains sustainable for future generations is an integral part of Indigenous culture — a mindset from which we can all benefit.
This experience also made us feel more grateful for the easy access to life’s necessities back home. Cooking for our group and sleeping in tents made us appreciate the conveniences of home, such as working toilets, kitchens, beds and a roof over our heads!
We had many highlights throughout the trip, but one personal favourite was swimming in the waterholes and creeks. It was heaps of fun and a good opportunity to bond with our classmates!
Although not all of us enjoyed the hikes across the red dirt trails, they provided a great opportunity to chat and reflect on the experience. During the hikes, we learned about different types of bush tucker, such as berries we hadn’t heard of before, and the unique uses of certain trees. At night, we enjoyed gathering around a campfire under the stars while the traditional owners shared fascinating stories about their past.
On the last two nights, we regrouped with the other Year 9 group at a campground in Cairns before heading to the Great Barrier Reef. Seeing this beautiful reef in person was jaw-dropping. We were amazed by the variety of coral and marine life. The marine biologists taught us about the beauty and fragility of this ecosystem, as well as the impact of human activity.
As our immersion came to an end, we were filled with mixed emotions — eager to return to the comfort of our homes but reluctant to leave this incredible experience behind. The memories from this eye-opening and unforgettable journey will stay with us forever.
Expedition to Great South West Victoria
Aanika Kumar and Scarlett Rickard, Year 9
From 7 to 13 October, a group of Year 9s went on the Great South West Victoria Expedition — a journey designed to foster personal growth and strengthen our connections with peers.
Our trip began in Port Fairy, where we explored the town, prepared a delicious dinner with the ingredients we had brought, and finished the evening with a fun trivia night. On the second day, we learned about the history of Port Fairy and its significant sites, wrapping up the day with a lively games night.
The following day, we headed to the Grampians Retreat in Dunkeld. We started by doing some hands-on community service — helping to protect saplings from being eaten by kangaroos and sheep. Later, we completed a challenging yet rewarding hike up Mt Piccaninny. To cap off the day, we enjoyed a campfire and participated in a reflection trail in groups.
Our second day at Dunkeld was filled with exciting activities, including the giant swing, Indigenous artwork, archery and abseiling. Abseiling definitely challenged us both physically and mentally, while some found the giant swing terrifying! In the evening, we enjoyed a movie night as we geared up for our final destination, Kangaroobie.
The next day, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of the 12 Apostles. Despite the cold weather, we appreciated the spectacular view. Our adventure continued with an 11 km hike to our campsite, where we traversed a variety of terrains, including mountainous cliffs, sandy shores and along a river. To our surprise, we even travelled by raft to reach the site!
Upon arrival, we had the chance to unwind and prepare for bush dancing — much to the dismay of some students! However, the bush dancing gave us a unique opportunity to step outside our comfort zones and embrace every new experience!
The next day was action-packed with more physical challenges, including a team game of Survivor, farm activities, canoeing and an obstacle course. At first, we were hesitant to participate in the obstacle course as it required crawling through muddy water and narrow tunnels! But we pushed ourselves to tackle every challenge, and it ended up being the highlight of the trip for many of us!
After saying goodbye to Kangaroobie, we travelled back to School the next morning. After a long and eventful camp, we were all thrilled to see the familiar sight of our school.
Overall, this expedition pushed us beyond our comfort zones, helped us build stronger connections with our peers, and learn to embrace every opportunity. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who organised this unforgettable camp!