Clunes Camp

Staughton College broke an excursion record this year with an overwhelming response of more than 25 students on a waiting list for the Clunes Booktown Festival. Twelve students and three staff members (Maria Alexiou, Sue Claringbold and Betty Campisi) attended the two day Clunes Booktown Festival, on May 4th-6th May. The three day program was jam packed with activities.

Students were booked for two nights at the R.A.C.V. Goldfields Resort in Creswick and travelled to Central Victoria to the gold mining town of Clunes where the sleepy town came alive during this book festival with thousands of avid readers attending. Students had the opportunity to browse through thousands of new, second hand, collectible, and rare books. Some walked away with many bargains.

Festival organisers were thrilled with Staughton College’s participation and our students and teachers received many thanks. Throughout the course of the weekend, students had the opportunity to listen to various presenters, including authors, had time to walk through the main streets, and enjoy the live entertainment of various street performers, local bands, visit Lee Medlyn’s Bottle Museum and Clunes Historical Museum, see various exhibitions and artists at work, admire the historical buildings and local sites, and enjoy the history of the town.

On Saturday night, students enjoyed a two course meal at the Creswick Roast House. Students also visited the Creswick Woollen Mill, (now known as Creswick Natural Fibres) where they learnt about the history of the Wool Mill and fed the sheep, goats and alpacas.

Included in the trip was a visit to Anderson’s Historic Timber and Flour Mill in Smeaton, where ghostly shadows were sighted. Driving through Daylesford, students stopped at Musk to visit the Lost Children’s Monument, then a quick stop at the Lyonville Mineral Springs in Lyonville, where they learnt about the spring and tried the natural spring water, with and without cordial. Many students filled their empty bottles with the Natural Mineral Water to take home and share the experience with their families. Trentham, (the Spud Town) was our last stop for the infamous hot ‘Fish and Chips’ in the Quarry Street Park and Lake before returning home to Melton.

Overall, students had a wonderful experience; they travelled over 300 km. across central Goldfields Victoria and are looking forward to next year’s Clunes Booktown Festival. In the words of one of our student travellers, "this whole experience has been amazing….and a must see and do again".

A special thank you to Sue Claringbold and Betty Campisi for their help, support, and many laughs throughout the weekend, and to the twelve amazing students for representing Staughton College in such a mature, responsible and proud manner.

MARIA ALEXIOU