Twenty middle years history

students, three staff, twelve venues and a three day itinerary….that was the challenge of the inaugural St Bede’s A.C.T. Middle Years Study Tour.

From the second to the fifth of September 2014, St Bede’s students visited our nation’s capital and were immersed in lessons of living history and active civics duty, as well as being privileged to visit and see some amazing locations, icons and artefacts.

First stop was the Australian War Memorial where the group took in the “Anzac Voices” exhibition, a collection of primary artefacts from the trenches of World War one, especially collated for the upcoming centenary of the Great War. Reading the innermost thoughts of Australian servicemen at the front in their letters home and personal diaries challenged many of the stereotyped perspectives received in mainstream media and textbooks. No artefact was more sobering than the kit of the deceased soldier, presented as it had been packed and was received by his grieving family back home. A moving ceremony at the grave of The Unknown Soldier followed, with some of the students offering poignant readings and reflections. A guided tour of the Halls of Battle was enjoyed by all, before the group embarked on some independent exploration of the significant collection of wartime artefacts housed at the AWM. An element of excitement was added by the Foxtel film crew who followed the experiences and discoveries of our party, in their quest for material to include in an upcoming documentary on the observance of war-related customs and rituals.

A historically reverent moment was experienced at the National Archives, where our group was privileged to see and read the original founding document of Australia, the country’s birth certificate if you like, an ornate parchment document signed by Queen Victoria Regina herself. As this document is highly restricted from public viewing in modern times, it was an absolute privilege to see it still attached to a golden skippet, just as it was upon arrival. The archives offered a diverse experience of historical records and interesting lessons about the challenges, values and processes of preserving historical artefacts for future generations.

The Museum of Democracy visit and tour was a highlight for the group as they revelled in the experience of debating the potential re-introduction of military conscription, in The House of Representatives, in complete regalia! The next opportunity for parliamentary role play was within the chambers of Parliament House itself, where the St Bede’s boys sat in opposition to debate, and eventually “pass” the bill on mandatory scoring of all junior sporting competitions. Having completed this process WITHOUT a script, the parliamentary education officer remarked on their competence and readiness for political careers….who knows what the future may hold! This theme was competed by a stop at the Electoral Education Centre where the boys learnt about how an election is administrated, publicly conducted and officially tallied. There was much enjoyment of the mock election carried out and a clear understanding of how the winner was declared. Some of these experiences will translate back to the wider classroom experiences at St Bede’s.

A visit to the High Court of Australia provided the boys with insights into the intricacies of the legal system in Australia and the experience of touring the Chamber of Constitutional Law, the final court of appeal for Constitutional matters. Tangible learning was experienced with the re-telling of the case of the Australian Tobacco Industry’s appeal against plain packaging of cigarettes in the recent past – the outcome may we say, is history!

Just as the St Bede’s party arrived to visit Yallumba, residence of the Govenor-General, the honourable encumbent, Peter Cosgrove, passed us with a wave and a smile – our brush with fame for the trip! The residence was a real source of curiosity for the group, the focus being an address by a Flight Commander from the AAF who explained the various duties of the Govenor-General, specifically the constitutional and ceremonial obligations associated with this role.

A visit to the Royal Mint provided opportunity to trace the use and production of modern currency right back to humble beginnings of the First Fleet, including the viewing of our first official currency – The Holey Dollar and Dumps. Unfortunately, there was no factory store here, no excess stock or even samples, though many boys did enquire! Coins were minted by the group to mark their visit and the robotic process of money- making left a new fascination for many of the boys to contemplate beyond the tour.

Thank you to Br Garry for supporting the initiative of the St Bede’s History department, and to Ms Leanne Higham, Learning Area Coordinator, for her assistance and support in the planning and execution of this event. Further thanks to Mr Rob Harrod and to Mr Enzo Di Toro for escorting the tour and contributing to a wonderfully successful experience for all who took part.

Ms. Kaylene Menara

Middle Years History Staff

Beacon

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