The IELC class wrote poems inspired by the iconic

Australian poem ‘My Country’ by Dorothea Mackellar

My Country By Dorothea Mackellar

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges.

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel-sea,

Her beauty and her terror-

This wide brown land for me

My Country

By Azzaya Byambatsogt

I love Mongolia

A land of a colourful paradise like an exotic carpet

Of fields full of yellow flowers shining beautifully in the sun

Of galloping horses in the peaceful countryside

I love her soaring eagles and her incomparable beauty.

I love her mountains that stand out

Her rushing Orkhon river and her endless view of country roads

This is my beloved never-changing country.

My Country

By Dang Nguyen

I love Vietnam a peaceful country

A land of hilly regions

Of people in the millions

Of people full of visions

I love my country’s beautiful beaches

I love my country’s little villages

Her lovely and lively nature

This country of endless summers.

My Country

By Isabela Aguiar Denis

I love Cuba my country

A land of warmth and people with passion

Of a glorious flag of white, red and blue with a beautiful start in the centre

Of her rhythmic danzon music

I love her precious tiny Bee Hummingbird

I love eating frijoles negros and sipping mojitos

Her many delicious aromas

This island with a deep clean blue sea.

My Country

By Kexin Wang

I love prosperous China

A land of which gave birth to five thousand years of history

Of cascading waterfalls

Of spectacular landscapes

I love her beautiful rivers and mountains

I love her ancient history and culture

Her patience raises millions of children

This powerful country of red.

My country

By Jack Zheng

I love China a multi-ethnic but united country

A land full of life

Of the long winding river like a dragon

Of abundant sunshine and pleasant climate

I love her mountains reaching the sky

I love her bustling and noisy urban areas

Her selfless dedication to nurturing us

This incredible diverse country.

My County

By Angel Zheng

I love beautiful China

A land of rugged mountains

Of brilliant people

Of the mighty Yangtze River

I love her landscapes

I love the mighty Qiandao lake

Her beauty and darkness

This is the land I love.

My City

By Jacky Zhang

I love Fuzhou a modern city

A land of high-rise buildings

Of bustling streets

Of picturesque ancient culture

I love her technological life

I love her beautiful environment

Her wealth and her freedom

This splendid land for me.

My City Loei

By Milin (Chanya) Khotchana

I love the mountains and atmosphere

A land of many places and friendly smiling people

Of sweet exotic flowers

Of the vibrant Phi Ta Khon ghost festival

I love the fragrance of sweet tamarind.

Her crowded Chiang Khan street

This beautiful countryside covered in

pink phu lom lo cherry blossoms.

My hometown - Phan Thiet

By David Nguyen

I love a peaceful homeland

A land of sea and blue sky

Of fishing village with many wooden fishing boats

Of the endless horizon and salty sea breeze

I love the aroma of delicious seafood dishes

I love the wave crashing on the shore

Her hot air and mild storms

This little district where all live in harmony.

My hometown

By Trang Nguyen

I love my homely hometown Long An

A land of barley plains

Of grass-fed cows

Of sun rays shining on sunflower field

I love the sound of drizzle falling softly making no sound at all

I love the sound of crickets chirping as night fall

Her warm rays of sunlight and gentle afternoon breezes

This hometown where everyone pleases.

My City

By Viet Phan

I love Ho Chi Minh a modern city

A land of towers that touch the clouds

Of hard-working people and a multitude of vehicles

Of roads full of crowds

I love the peaceful atmosphere

I love drinking the morning coffee in silence

Her wonders are like a picture

This vibrant city which come alive at night.

My City VungTau

By Hai Nguyen

I love a city by the sea

A land of golden sand and breeze

Of palm trees swaying in the wind

Of seafood feasts and friendly faces

I love the waves and the sun’s warm touch

I love a city by the beach

Her sunsets paint a vibrant hue

This is the place my heart calls home.

My Country

By Lucas Rao

I love my prosperous country,

A land of the spectacular Great Wall

Of towering sky mountains

Of galloping river

I love her vast desert

I love her mystical forest

Her peace and her comfort

This wide colourful land for me!

My City

By Serenna Fan

I love Shanghai, a cosmopolitan metropolis

A land of haste and leisure

Of hectic traffic and elegant brunches

Of willow trees along the Huangpu River

I love the splendid buildings on the Bund

I love the panoramic view from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Her prosperity and stylish fashion

This land nourishes me like a flower.

My Country

By Yuki Hao

I love China

A land of the panda

Of friendly and enthusiastic people

Of beautiful scenery and diverse species

I love a land of hardworking individuals

I love her blue vast coastline

Her beauty and her warmth

This wide red land for me.

My Country Saudi Arabia

By Yousef Boitey

I love her mosques and her historical landmarks

A land of ancient times

Of being addicted to her love and saddened by her separation

Of intense heat and bitter cold

I love her weather and her landscape

I love her community and her traditions

Her sweet and bitter face

This country with a flag of green.

My Country

By Lilian Zou

I love my wonderful China.

A land of antiquity with a history of five thousand years.

Of the indestructible Great Wall still remaining strong

Of convenient, fast and safe high-speed rail

I Love this country with rich cultural heritage.

I love her prosperous cities and world leading economy and technology

Her power nourishes billions

This dragon always protects her children.

IELC Excursion

Old Treasury Building and Victorian Parliament 26 October 2023

‘This was a wonderful trip giving us a new understanding of Melbourne’s political culture’ (Lilian Zou)

‘Victorian Parliament is made with real gold!’ (Hai Nguyen)

‘We saw the ‘Welcome Stranger’ the world’s biggest gold nugget’ (Viet Phan)

‘The Observatory had beautiful multicoloured flowers.’ (David Nguyen)

‘I wished to visit Melbourne’s historical landmarks and my wish has been fulfilled.’ (Yousef Boitey)

‘ This was an excellent class trip, I felt very delighted.’ (Yuki Hao)

‘I gained a lot of knowledge about the history of Australia.’ (Milin Khotchana)

‘The structure is magnificent, the ceiling is painted in gold with 12 angels; each symbolising democracy.’ (Trang Nguyen)

The architect was only 19 years old when he designed the Treasury Building.’ (Serenna Fan)

‘I feel very fulfilled today.’ (Angel Zheng)

‘As soon as you enter the Observatory, you can feel a fresh fragrance blowing into your face.’ (Jack Zheng)

‘The interior decoration of the Victorian Parliament is astounding.’ (Jacky Zhang)

‘ My favourite flower in the Observatory looked like a mushroom and was so cute.’ (Lucas Rao)

‘We looked at a panorama of Melbourne. Something I found fascinating is there were many changes in the city.’ (Kexin Wang)

‘I saw what life was like in Melbourne before its transformation.’ (Isabela Aguiar)

‘I felt so peaceful and relaxed in the Observatory.’ (Azzaya Byambatsogt)

‘There is a huge Queen Victoria statue that stands in the middle of the Victorian Parliament.’ (Dang Nguyen)

Shrine of Remembrance 16 November 2023

‘I am so lucky to live during peace time. I hope every war will stop in the future.’ (Lilian Zou)

‘We sent to the balcony and saw a view of Melbourne. We saw the William Barrak building’ (Hai Nguyen)

‘I was shocked when I learnt about Jim Martin the youngest WWI solider. We was only 14 years old.’ (Viet Phan)

‘Our trip to the Shrine of Remembrance remaindered me of a picture book I read titled “My Gallipoli” .’ (David Nguyen)

‘You must visit the Shrine of Remembrance to learn why all Australians commemorate Remembrance Day.’ (Yousef Boitey)

‘ The panoramic balcony offers views of buildings throughout the city.’ (Yuki Hao)

‘There are statues for us to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.’ (Milin Khotchana)

‘The gallery of medals represents the service and sacrifice of soldiers.’ (Trang Nguyen)

‘The top looked like the pyramids, and majestic ancient Greek columns are in the front. It is difficult to imagine that such magnificent architecture was built by the people of Victoria instead of the government’ (Serenna Fan)

I saw stunning views of Melbourne.’ (Angel Zheng)

‘I saw our guide Steve in an old photo. He was only 20 years old when he was in the Vietnam war.’ (Jacky Zhang)

‘ The wreath is usually made with red poppies and is laid on Anzac day.’ (Lucas Rao)

‘The eternal flame makes people remember the wars and to cherish peace. It is very meaningful.’ (Kexin Wang)

‘ANZAC stands for the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.’ (Isabela Aguiar)

‘The WWI soldier’s helmet was so heavy. I was shocked.’ (Azzaya Byambatsogt)

‘The father and son sculpture honours the men who fought in WWI and WWII.’ (Dang Nguyen)

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