Bushwhacked in the Brisbane Ranges 

Mark Haebich

Teacher - Bushwhacked

The first bushwhacked program of the year was a great success.

Storm damage in the Cathedral Ranges State Park forced the late relocation of this program to the Brisbane Ranges National Park. This turned out to be fortuitous, the Brisbane Ranges is a little gem right on Melbourne’s doorstep. My class was the first group to head out in Week 4 of term, followed by Ms Blair’s class in Week 5. 

Boar Gully campsite was the base to launch on explorations of the local park - including some self-directed day walks out of the campsite itself - as well as the wonderful loop through the Anakie Gorge. Students used fire pits for a bit of bush cooking but most of their meals were organised in small cooking groups on the ever reliable Trangia stoves. 

Students also gave back to the area by helping out with some track maintenance on the final day of the program. A focus on Character Strengths underpinned the teaching and learning on this trip, and students worked through a range of activities and lessons that brought their attention their strengths and how these complimented the strengths of others in the group.  

This experience was a great foundation for an exciting year ahead in Bushwhacked, and it was a real adventure to be exploring a new venue so close to home. 

Cristian Athanasopoulos 

Year 9

 I really enjoyed the first Bushwacked camp for many reasons such as learning new things and developing new skills. Firstly, I earned a appreciation for beauty in the nature around me as I learned about its background and culture. Secondly, I developed my cooking abilities as we cooked for ourselves during the camp. Lastly, I continued to expand my outdoor knowledge and experience during camping.

Jasmine Berrell 

Year 9

I don't usually sleep on a Thermarest - and sleeping with three people in a small tent made it a little hard to go to sleep -but was all part of the experience. On the second day we did two walks; Henry, Peggy, Neko, Amelia and I decided to do the shorter walk first which I think was a good warm up! When we got back we had to help with assembling the stuff for the wraps for lunch. Then we drove to Anakie Gorge for the second walk. Myself, Peggy and Oscar decided to do the longer walk which I really enjoyed. I think everyone else was pretty tired by then though. On the third day we helped clear the walking tracks for the National Park. We did this along the track that we had walked the day before which was cool because it gave us a better idea of how far we'd walked and we got to see the view from the lookout again.

Oscar Hagarty 

Year 9

On the Brisbane Ranges camp, I noticed that I had a lot more skills than I thought I did. I was able to put into practice skills I had been learning about for the past few years and was able to strengthen them. Next time I go on one of these camps I want to be a little more social than I was on this camp.

India Pappas

Year 9

On our adventurous journey, I challenged myself by choosing the harder option for every bushwalk we went on. Whilst on the walk I faced situations such as strong exposure to the sun and heat. The walk really opened up my eyes and I realised I have many strong character strengths that I don't always recognise in everyday situations. On our camp we spent time thinking about our character strengths and which ones were important to us. I thought it was a good chance to get to know other people and what they value. I also experienced different ways of doing things by cooking on trangias which i had never done before. Although there were hard parts about the journey i really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Abbey Billing

Year 9

On our camp Journey we observed many things including wildlife and the habitat around us as well as the culture and people before us. We learned how to navigate through the bush and challenged ourselves. I chose to participate on the harder route on the many walks. I had a lot of fun learning how to cook on a trangia.

Zak Zayat

Year 9

I really enjoyed our first Bushwhacked camp, since we got to cook food for ourselves and did a lot of hiking. We also sat in nature and observed everything around us in silence.

Clarisse Fallon

Year 9

I really enjoyed this camp because I got to spend time away from my phone and school to try new activities like bushwalking and using a Trangia to cook. I challenged myself by doing the longer, harder walks when they were optional. I got to learn more about the people in my class and spend time with people I don't normally talk to.

Michael Fagone-Lazita 

Year 9

I enjoyed the journey because we got to experience the outdoors for three days. I found the navigating interesting and fun because we got to be independent and learn our own way around things. I liked being 'in the wild' as well because I felt calm and there was not any distractions.

Caitlyn Slade

Year 9

On this journey to the Brisbane Ranges, we spent two nights camping and a day going on long adventures hikes. We spend the evenings cooking dinner before settling down next to a campfire and playing card games in a small, but very loud group! On they way home we stopped to help out a ranger with organising paths to make sure that they are clear for hikers and maintenance vehicles.

Lily Reeves

Year 9

 Our journey to the Brisbane Ranges National park was very enjoyable. We had to set up our tents, and all of our equipment. Breakfasts were all self provided, while dinner was given to us, but we cooked it for ourselves. Some other activities worth mentioning were cooking damper and working on our character strengths. I enjoyed most of the activities, and although it was fun, it was also nice to get home and have a shower! We made sure to clean up after ourselves and others, and I thought it was a productive and fun trip.

Peggy Ford

Year 9

I really enjoyed the trip. I got to know the people in my class better, and had a lot of fun with navigation and hiking. I really enjoyed the bonding experience of cooking with my friends, especially the ones that I didn't really know at the start of the trip. I played card games like Cheat with new people and had so much fun. I also learned about my character strengths, which I had never really thought about before. I had so much fun.

Neko Staude-Ryall 

Year 9

Whilst away on our Bushwhacked class camp at the Brisbane Ranges I learned several new skills such as how to cook with a trangia and how to read a map to show which way to go. I also bonded with new people and hung out with people I don't usually hang out with. One of the things i enjoyed most about the camp was sleeping in tents with my friends and waking up in nature.