Canberra Camp

Year 6 Canberra Camp 2023

The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER)

Students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. 

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their civics and citizenship education and to assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian government contributed funding of $45 per student under the Parliament and civics education rebate program. 

Here are some highlights from our trip…

Day 1 

Off to Canberra, we arrived at school at 6:00 am and left the school at 6:45 am. It was a 9 hour trip with some resting spots along the way. Our first resting spot was in Yea for some snacks and toilet break. We went back on the bus for another 2 hours but we got to watch Monsters Inc.

The next stop was Holbrook for some lunch and for a little play. We saw the famous submarine and took a photo with the submarine. Back on the bus for a couple of hours until Gundagai. 

Day 2 

To start things off we had breakfast at 7.00am. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs with toast. At 9:00am we went to Government House and we got really lucky because not many people get to set foot in Government House. When we arrived we saw every badge that you can receive from the navy, army and airforce, all together there were 60 badges. 

We had a little snack before we went to the National Capital Exhibition where we learnt about Canberra’s history and learnt about the names that people requested and we got to see a short film about Canberra’s history and about Lake Burley Griffin. We had lunch at a playground and afterwards we went to the Old Parliament House. 

The Old Parliament House in Canberra is a very special part of Australian history as a symbol of the nation's early parliament. On Capitol Hill, this iconic building served as a meeting place for the Australian Parliament house from 1927 to 1988 until the new one was built. Lastly, the EEC where we went to do our own mini vote and learn about voting and referendums. 

Day 3 

After breakfast at 7:30am, the first place we visited was the Royal Australian Mint. It was really interesting to learn about the history of coins and how they made their way to Australia over the years. All of us got to see how the coins were made and the machines that made them. The machines even have names! We were so lucky to be able to go to the Australian Mint along with seeing the amazing machines doing their job. After all of the amazing things we learnt, we got the time to buy a few things from the gift shop. Some people even brought one dollar coins that were designed by ‘Creatures of the deep’!

Soon after, we arrived at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport), which was where famous athletes trained. We took a tour around the entire centre. We then got to experience different sports in a separate room. For example, we got to try wheelchair racing, bicycle races, canoeing, soccer, basketball and much more! Before we left we went to the gift shop where lots of students bought things like hats, drink bottles and some people got keychains too.

After we ate lunch, we left the AIS to arrive at Parliament House. Together we ate some afternoon tea that was provided by the Parliament for the students and teachers. Soon after, we got to do a role play in the house of representatives, we got to experience how the court worked. We then got to see Peter Dutton who was on his way to see the senators in the chambers. We came just in time to see them arguing! Overall, Parliament House was an interesting experience! We then headed back to our cabins and got ready to relax.

At 6:00pm, we drove to see Mount Ainslie for the night lookout, the view was spectacular! Together we saw Canberra glow in the dark and had the chance to take pictures. Although we didn't stay for long, it was so nice to see, and the bus drive back was just as fun! Mostly because our bus drivers, John and Leo, were playing music all the way back to our cabins. 

Day 4 

After breakfast, we all embarked on our journey to Questacon- viewing and playing with all of the interactive exhibitions. The most popular was the ‘Free Fall’ slide, where those who chose to engage in this frightful activity would get into jumpsuits and go down the slide. Apparently, it was made to feel like you were free falling, as the name suggests.The gift shop was also amazing, lots of fidgets, science kits, plushies, and much more.

After our fun filled time at Questacon, we were back on the bus to head to the National Archives- where we all learnt about the dictation test that immigrants in the past had to do, and all of the archived government documents. We saw letters and Constitutions and some even signed by Queen Victoria.

Later we visited the Australian War Memorial. We drove down the Anzac Parade and saw all of the statues and monuments. Sadly, the front was under construction, as they were preparing to build a new addition to the Memorial, but luckily we could still enter. We got to view all the aeroplanes, the Eternal Flame and Hall of Honour with all of the poppies. We also got to view 3D sculptures that mimicked what it was like in the war. We also got to hear the sounds and explosions.

After our fun packed and adventurous day, we finished off with our final dinner of the trip and settled in for bed, ready to conquer the 10 hour bus ride back to Melbourne.

Day 5

After having an early start, we all packed our bags and cleaned the cabins, making sure we all had everything. As we added all our belongings into the coach, we said our goodbyes and departed Canberra. Stopping at all the previous rest stops.

At 5pm we arrived at Kingswood and headed home with our families.