The 2018 Canberra trip was a week of fun, happy and exciting memories for the thirty students, Mr P Culnane, Ms Woodhall-Jones and Mr A Culnane, who travelled to the National Capital from the 11 to 18 August.
Students watched the satellite dish move at the Canberra Deep Space Communication complex in Tidbinbilla, before visiting the National Capital Exhibition Centre and then walking up Mount Ainslie and fighting howling winds on top of the Telstra Tower at Black Mountain for some rewarding views of Canberra.
Just over two hours at the Australian War Memorial gave students a small taste of what this amazing museum has to offer. Some students managed to find the names of relatives on the honour wall, which was very special.
After a tour of the Royal Australian Mint, the group went to Parliament House for a tour of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Students met Jordan Steele-John, Australia’s youngest Senator, who spoke to them about taking an early interest in politics, before finishing the day experiencing ‘zero gravity’ and other hands-on exhibits at Questacon.
At the Australian Electoral Education Commission, the students learnt about the history of voting and the process of enrolling to vote, before running an election of their own. They also enjoyed a guided tour of the National Art Gallery and enacted a debate in Old Parliament House regarding ‘conscription’ in the House of Representatives, with Mr Andrew Culnane maintaining order as speaker.
After lunch in the Parliament rose gardens, the students were given a tour of the High Court, sat in on an actual High Court trial, and then took a look around the Embassies and High Commissions located near the Parliamentary Triangle.
Day 5 began at the Australian Institute of Sport and the interactive Sportex, before exploring a range of science activities at the CSIRO Discovery Centre and playing with some very ‘cute’ stick insects.
The students were treated to two days skiing on the slopes near Berridale, with excellent conditions and plenty of snowball fights. Morning lessons helped the students develop their turning and, more importantly, stopping skills - and they managed to make a snowman as well as red cordial ‘snow cones’.
The trip ended with a visit to the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme, National Arboretum and the National Museum.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital as part of their civics and citizenship education. To assist parents in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government contributes funding of $260 per eligible student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program towards the travel expenses incurred. This contribution is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
The College thanks the Australian Government for their continued support of this program.
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