A Year 12 Geography Adventure

Investigating land use change in VCE Geography to understand how places change over time

An integral component of studying VCE Geography is to undertake fieldwork to gather data relevant to the topic area being studied. GEC students undertaking Year 12 Geography recently visited Melbourne’s Docklands to gather data on land use change which they will use to write a 2000 word Fieldwork Report in response to a research question of their choosing. The day was a complete success as current Unit 3 Geography students, Alexander Leathley and Sara Lupton reflect below. 

Clinton Chiumello

VCE Geography Teacher

On February 25th, our teacher, Mr Chiumello took our Year 12 VCE Geography class on a fieldwork excursion to Docklands and the Melbourne CBD. The purpose of our day trip was to gather primary data about how land use is currently being utilised in the region to complete a subsequent fieldwork report for Unit 3. We were each assigned a research question beforehand and were required to gather data that relates to the question. We researched how Docklands is being used as a residential, commercial and entertainment precinct. 

First, we went into the Melbourne CBD and noted the current land uses of the area. We collected data on the human characteristics (the types of buildings and their use) and the natural characteristics (the topography, the climate and the vegetation). Then we took a tram down into the waterfront city of Docklands and we were each given time to draw a sketch of Victoria Harbour and label the current land uses. 

We were then given time to go off in groups to conduct interviews with people in the area. We asked them questions that related to our assigned research question. To finish off the fieldwork excursion, we went to the Docklands library and found out that it is Australia's most sustainable public building and is Australia’s first 6-star Green Star-rated public building. On returning to school, our task now is to collate and analyse the data collected and write up our fieldwork report.

Alexander Leathley and Sara Lupton

Year 12