Canberra Camp 2019

Farewell Canberra

It was a cruel twist of fate that the Canberra Campers had to wake up at 5.45am this morning for a 6am breakfast. Why, you might ask? Unbeknown to us, Canberra Park had filled literally overnight to an approximate 350 guests, and we didn’t even notice! (The miracles of a wonderful accommodation site.) Consequently, our breakfast had to ‘slot’ in-between the other schools who also required their sustenance, carefully timetabled around a rigorous itinerary.  Fully fed, we had the energy (and time) to begin our pack up for the final day in Canberra.

With the two groups heading off in different directions, we embarked on a journey exploring a visual culture of art at the Art Gallery and democracy at the old Parliament house. Group A starting off their tour with an impromptu visit to the High Court building, only to marvel at the arrival of several judges, barristers and media who had turned up for the Annika Smethurst case against the Federal Police! Stepping across the road to the gallery, they had to make way for the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands before they were tantalized by a myriad of art works ranging from aesthetically pleasing to downright bizarre, including the infamous Blue Poles – rumoured to be worth between 300-500 million dollars.

Meanwhile, Group B discovered how they too can contribute to the living entity that we know as democracy through protests, badges and speaking to their local representative, all the while sporting cotton gloves to protect our original parliament house. Soon a role play ensued with several of our students taking on the historical role of ministers, debating on the Franklin River Dam. With rousing chorus’ of ‘Hear! Hear!’ and ‘Rubbish!’ the students energetically launched themselves into the drama that had originally unfolded all those years ago. It certainly was a challenge for our Speaker of the House, Travis Fatchen, to control this unruly bunch of politicians.

More food and water were offered and eagerly consumed by the students before boarding the coaches for the final time in Canberra. It was farewell to this wonderous city with its educational and entertaining sites. A relatively short trip ensued, that included lunch at Yass and afternoon tea at Holbrook, and we arrived early in Albury where the kids second wind well and truly kicked in. They were bouncing on the jumping pillow, playing chasey and ball games, essentially burning up any pent-up energy that had been simmering in the background. A hearty dinner of rissoles, sausages, chicken skewer, chips and salad were capped off with individually packaged ice-creams. No sooner had they swallowed their last morsel and they were out again for swimming, tennis, basketball and more bouncing!

Early bedtime was essential for our intrepid travellers, with lights out at 9pm. We must wake up early again for a 6am breakfast  for a 6.50am departure! We are coming home