Duke of Edinburgh

Duke of Edinburgh

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On Saturday 13th March, 12 students from across Years 6-10 joined four staff on the first Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey for the year. With smiles and backpacks on, students boarded the bus for the short trip up the range to Mapleton National Park. On arrival, we decided to take a short 1km side trip down to Gheerulla Falls and were rewarded by a beautiful cascade of water. After checking the route ahead on our maps, we set off navigating our way towards Thilba Thalba walker’s camp. The 7.5km journey saw the group dodging leeches on the damp rainforest floor, traveling through dry sclerophyll forest on the ridge tops and gazing north through the vast expanses of the valleys. While carrying everything on their back for the weekend was a challenging and new experience for the younger students, the group found ways to assist and support each other to arrive safe and happy at the campsite. The evening was spent cooking dinner together on Trangia stoves, laughing and star gazing at the look-out.

Sunday morning saw a beautiful sunrise over the fog filled valley and a stunning bird’s eye view of the Kenilworth Bluff before we wandered down the ridge line to meet the lunch time bus back to the College. A quick refreshing dip in Gheerulla creek was a wonderful end to the two days of exploration and walking. Thank you to the wonderful Duke of Edinburgh and Bridge students for the way they took each challenge in their stride. It was a pleasure to take this diverse group of young people who showed care, kindness, tenacity and humour throughout the weekend as they explored new places and developed their leadership skills. Thank you also to staff, Ms Angela Hill, Ms Genessa Lee and Mr Simon Williams for contributing to a positive and memorable experience with our students.

The next Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey will be a three-day bushwalk along the Cooloola Wilderness Trail from Saturday 24th – Monday 26th April. This trip is open to Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh students and will see them follow the footsteps of Eliza Fraser across the Great Sandy National Park and culminate with a river cruise through the Noosa Everglades. For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh program, please email me on kwood@pacluth.qld.edu.au.

Ms Kim Wood, Head of Outdoor Education

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