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Year 12 OES Bunurong Coast Camp

Wednesday 21 February - Friday 23 February

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for our 3-day Bunurong Coast Unit 3 Camp.

“Changing relationships with outdoor environments over time” was our theme for the camp and students received a number of opportunities to investigate and collect data related to the impacts of Indigenous peoples, the early European settlers, as well as how people thought pre- and post-Federation times. 

Based out of Phillip Island Caravan Park in Newhaven, we explored Phillip Island and the surrounding Bunurong Coast as far as Wonthaggi. 

After our drive to the Island, Wednesday afternoon saw us visit Churchill Island and experience the relationships held by the early settlers. Students gathered primary data for later use in their Investigation Report for Unit 4, as well as participating in some of the activities such as milking cows and whip cracking. After a long hot afternoon, we relaxed with a break at San Remo and explored the foreshore and fishing industry infrastructure.

Thursday was a busy day, beginning with a trip to the Nobbies Visitor Centre as well as exploring the former Summerland Peninsula housing estate (bought out by the Victorian government to expand the breeding colony for the little penguins). After a quick lunch stop in Cowes, it was off to Smith’s Beach for a surf lesson with Island Surf School. While the waves weren’t exactly big, the cool water was welcome relief from the hot dry conditions. We had many successes but couldn’t identify any future world surfing champions. Thursday evening was spent exploring Cowes and its many colonial remnants as well as finding something nice for dinner. Before heading off to the Penguin Parade for the nightly show of little penguins waddling up the beach to return to their nesting boxes to feed their young chicks. A very long day.

Friday morning saw us pack up camp at the caravan park and head to Wonthaggi for a tour of the Victorian Desalination Plant. The students found it amazing how seawater could be turned into fresh potable drinking water. The irony of commissioning a desalination plant just as the drought was over was not lost on the students and they appreciated the need for it to keep running for maintenance reasons despite not needing to sell any water. A quick visit to explore the State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi gave students insight into the life of a mining community in the early 1900s. After a quick lunch break in Wonthaggi, it was time to hit the road and head back to DHS.

A great 3 days enjoyed by all! Thanks to Miss Harrison for her valuable assistance.

Mr Paul Dietzsch

Outdoor and Environmental Studies Teacher