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Canoeing at Major Creek

“From Indigenous Australians to the early explorers to the pioneer settlers to our current irrigators, water has been the key to survival and wealth.” Professor Peter Cullen “Aboriginal communities had adapted themselves and some parts of the river without threatening its overall health for some 40 000 years; in contrast, settler Australians after only 150 years or so had brought it to a state of collapse.” P Sinclair

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Booklet Contents Introduction Page 3 Forms Page 3 Educational Rationale: Goulburn Experience Page 4 Camp Expectations Page 5 Goulburn River Map Page 6 Year 9 Outdoor Experience Itinerary Page 7 Menu Page 8

Minimal Impact Camping / Canoeing Page 9 Personal Equipment List Page10- 11 Handy Hints Page 12 My Journal – Goulburn River Experience 2015 Page 13-16

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Introduction The Year 9 Outdoor Education Experience is a vital part of the overall St Mary’s experience. The main educational focus for this Experience is the student’s connectedness to the world around them and the location relates well with issues concerning sustainability. The Goulburn Experience offers a four day canoe journey in the Seymour/Nagambie area. Students will be using canoes as their means of transport whilst they journey down the Goulburn River. Students will be camping on the river banks along the way, on both private and public land. Students will develop their environmental awareness through various activities and will have the opportunity to develop skills in canoeing, river navigation, bush cooking and camping. The dates for each Outdoor Experience are as follows:

Class Dates 9 Green 15 – 18 Sep 9 Blue 6 – 9 Oct 9 Aqua 13 – 16 Oct 9 Maroon 27 – 30 Oct 9 Gold 10 – 13 Nov 9Brown 17 – 20 Nov

Forms

The following need to be completed and returned to your son/daughter’s Homeroom Teacher:

• Year 9 Goulburn River Experience Consent Form 2015 • Arrangements for Year 9 Students Travelling Home

Group salute, departing Gilgai campsite

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Educational Rationale: Goulburn Experience

As mentioned previously, students are expected to complete a journal regarding the Experience. Students are also offered the opportunity to develop and participate in a variety of river-based enquiries which focus on the usage of the river and land systems within the surrounding region. These enquiries can then support or become a key feature of the assessed Inquiry Based Learning Task (IBLT) back at St Mary’s Campus. Through the experiences, observations, investigations and the associated journal, the following learning outcomes will be addressed:

1. Develop an understanding of water as a scarce and precious resource through adhering to minimal impact camping (including minimal water use). The focus being the use, misuse, treatment and mistreatment of water.

2. Develop an understanding of the role that water plays in society through

participation, observation and reflection. This learning will be centred on how different people use the river region for means of income and wellbeing.

3. Develop experience in a variety of natural environments through canoeing on the

Goulburn River’s main branches and the waterways that the Goulburn River supports. Contrasts will be made between Aboriginal and Early European perceptions of the land and how these reflect their land uses.

4. Develop a better understanding of local environmental issues through exploration

of natural processes and human impacts on the Goulburn River. Students will reflect on their own environmental impacts as well as making comparisons with other river users’ impacts.

5. Develop a comprehension of the similarities and differences between the

environmental issues of the Goulburn River and those of the local Werribee River and how usage of the surrounding land affects the watercourse.

6. Develop knowledge and understanding of people and events that shaped the

communities around our four day paddling journey, such as Major Mitchell and other early European settlers and Aboriginal legends.

7. Develop deeper understanding by exploring past, current and future issues in

sustaining a community.

8. Develop an understanding of individuals and groups as participants in a community.

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Camp Expectations The students will be expected to hand in a reflective journal response in the week after the completion of the Experience. The theme for the Outdoor Experience is ‘responsibility for ourselves, others and the environment.’ It is an expectation of the College that all students participate in the Outdoor Experience. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately during off-campus excursions, in accordance with the behavioural expectations of the school and the Outdoor Education staff. For non-attendance, a student is required to have a signed medical certificate for the duration of the Experience. If a student chooses not to attend the Experience and does not have a signed medical certificate, parents will be contacted by the school. Students who refuse to attend the Outdoor Education Experience will be required at the Main Campus for the duration of the Experience. If you require further information, please contact Miss Bramley, Miss Livesay or Mr Webb at the College.

Visiting historic Tahbilk Winery

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Goulburn River Map

Year 9 Outdoor Experience Itinerary

CORNER OF MAJOR MITCHELL’S CREEK AND GOULBURN RIVER

LAKE NAGAMBIE

GILGAI

CHATSWORTH PARK

LAUNCHING SITE

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Year 9 Outdoor Experience Itinerary

Day 1 8:20 am Students meet at the Rotunda, Main Campus 8:30 am Brief introduction is conducted and gear is packed into the trailer 10:00 am Depart in two school buses driven by Outdoor Education staff Short toilet break, morning tea/snacks at Seymour 12:00 pm Arrive at the Goulburn River. Students have an introductory session

including paddling techniques, loading canoes, risk minimisation and safety procedures

1:00 pm Lunch (students provide their own) 2:00 pm Begin the paddling journey 4:00 pm Stop at the “Chatsworth Park” property. Set up camp site 5:00 pm Activities/games 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Team activities 9:30 pm Lights out, bed

Day 2 7:00 am Wake up/breakfast/pack canoes 9:00 am Begin paddling 12:30 pm Lunch at Mitchelton winery 3:00 pm Arrive at the “Majors Creek”. Set up camp 4:00 pm Journal writing time 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Night activities 9:30 pm Lights out, bed

Day 3 7:00 am Wake up/ breakfast/pack up canoes 9:00 am Begin paddling 10:30 am Tour at Tahbilk winery 12:30 pm Lunch at Nagambie ski club (depending on weather) 3:00 pm Stop at the “Gilgai” property, set up camp 4:00 pm Bush cooking, solo time and journal writing 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Campfire and reflections 9:30 pm Lights out, bed

Day 4 7:00 am Wake up/ breakfast/ pack canoes 9:00 am Begin paddling 10:30 am Arrive at Lake Nagambie, unpack gear, clean up and load canoes / trailers 12:00 pm Hot lunch 1:00 pm Depart for MacKillop 3:30 pm Arrive MacKillop, return gear, clean up 4:00 pm Students will walk to the Tenison Woods car park accompanied by teachers.

Students will be dismissed to waiting parents/guardians.

Please note: Dismissal time at the College is an estimation only and every endeavour will be made to dismiss students at this time after returning, debriefing and unpacking. Students are to be picked up from the Tenison Woods car park.

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Menu

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 BREAKFAST

N/A

Cereal, muesli and fresh fruit. Hot chocolate

Cereal, muesli and fresh fruit. Hot chocolate

Cereal, muesli and fresh fruit. Hot chocolate

SNACKS

N/A

BBQ and pizza shapes, muesli bars.

Vita Wheats with spreads. rice crackers, shapes and dips.

Hikers mix, fresh fruit and muesli bars.

LUNCH

Students to bring their own recess and lunch and also 2x1 litre bottles of water – filled.

Wraps with luncheon meat and salad. Vita Wheats and spreads. Fresh fruit. If cold, soup will be available.

Wraps with luncheon meat and salad. Vita Wheats and spreads. Fresh fruit. If cold, soup will be available.

Hot dogs in rolls with cheese and salad fillings. (BBQ, tomato and mustard sauces)

SNACKS

Fresh fruit

Hikers mix, fresh fruit

Hikers mix

N/A

DINNER

Cup of soup Tuna pasta with tomato / herb sauce, fresh vegetables and parmesan cheese.

Cup of soup Shepherd’s pie with mash, beef mince, cheese and sauces.

Cup of soup Pizza jaffles, with a variety of fillings cooked on campfire.

N/A

DESSERT Chocolate Lamingtons

Biscuits and hot chocolate

Marshmallows

N/A

Please note: If your son/daughter has allergies, special dietary requirements or is a vegetarian please let us know prior to the Outdoor Experience so we can cater for their needs. Please state in detail on the form that is provided. This will give us sufficient notice to contact you to discuss further arrangements if necessary. We also ask parents/guardians not to over pack your son/daughter’s daypack with lollies (please refer to the prohibited items list).

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Minimal Impact Camping/Canoeing

Access

• Always seek permission from landowners for access to water. • Leave livestock and property alone. • Use marked tracks and do not damage or remove flora.

Rubbish

• If you carry it in, carry it out. Carry bags for storing your rubbish. • Take foods that have minimal packaging. Fresh food does not need cans and jars. • Don’t be too proud to clean up someone else’s rubbish. Try to see this as

a positive act. Encourage others to clean up and make them feel positive about their contribution.

• Conserve water sources by not polluting them with soap, detergents or food scraps.

Fires

• Check with Country Fire Authority (CFA) for fire bans before lighting any fires or stoves.

• Use fireplaces or old fire scars if available – do not create new areas. • Carefully select a site away from bushes, trees and rocks which could get

damaged. • Do not surround the fire with stones. • Use only dead wood lying on the ground. • Ensure the fire is completely extinguished with water when putting it out.

Toilets If you are building a bush toilet:

• Select a toilet site 100 metres or more from any water source. • Dig a hole 15 – 20 centimetres deep. • All waste and toilet paper should be covered completely with soil or leaf litter.

Flora and Fauna

• Use tracks where possible to minimise damage to flora. • Strictly do not feed animals.

Equipment

• If canoes require tying up, ensure that the system used does not damage the rocks and vegetation.

Rivers, Banks and Beaches

• Avoid putting anything into the water that may pollute it. This includes soap, dishwater, food scraps and rubbish.

• Carry boats over banks and beaches, do not drag them (this is essential for the bank, beach vegetation and ecosystem).

Camping

• Campsites should be at least 20 metres from rivers and creeks. Finally

• Leave no trace.

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Personal Equipment List The appropriate clothing and equipment will ensure safe and enjoyable participation in this experience. It will keep you warm, dry and hydrated. Please bring lunch in a daypack for the first day of the experience. Clothing: 1-2 Thermal underwear (long sleeve thermal top compulsory)

2 pairs of shoes (1 pair running shoes/boots to have whilst camping and an old

pair that will get wet)

1 beanie and 1 pair of warm gloves

1 wide brimmed sunhat/cap (no visors), cheap sunglasses with straps/string

2 pairs of long pants (cotton blends and jeans are not acceptable as they are

extremely cold when moist/wet) - nylon tracksuit pants are the best

2 pairs of shorts (no jeans or denim) - nylon shorts are the best

2 warm t-shirts – polypropylene or wool are warmer fibres than cotton (need to

cover the lower back and shoulders)

4 pairs of underwear and 5 pairs of socks - long wool/nylon blends

2 jumpers - woollen or polar fleece/fibre pile (no cotton as it is very cold when

wet)

1 long-sleeve shirt/skivvy or long sleeved rash vest

Small hand towel/face washer

Three boys challenge themselves to prepare and cook a meal on a trangia

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Personal Equipment List

Equipment:

Sleeping bag and inner sheet (no pillow) both labelled and waterproofed

1 daypack (only for bus)

10 strong large garbage bags

4 plastic shopping bags

Small torch (a head torch is ideal), spare batteries and globe

Toiletries (no aerosol cans), roll on deodorant, baby wipes, toothbrush/toothpaste

and sunscreen, etc

2 x tea-towels and scourers in cloth bag

Plate, bowl, mug, butter knife, fork and spoon in cloth bag (do not bring

disposable plastic, glass or porcelain)

Pencil, 2 pens and your Outdoor Education Experience booklet (journal)

2 x 1 litre water bottles (sturdy bottles recommended, 1.25l plastic bottles are

fine)

Medication, including backup set, to be given to staff prior to departure

Camera optional

Water pistol (optional)

Equipment provided by MacKillop:

Tent (in groups of three)

Rain jacket and rainproof over pants

Blue compressed foam sleeping mat

Group camping and cooking equipment

Black barrel to store equipment

Canoes, helmets and personal flotation device (PFD)

All gear should be packed into large garbage bags, inside a soft duffle or sports bag.

Prohibited items: Denim clothing, mobile phones, extra food, soft drink, jewellery, aerosol cans, make–up, thongs, ugg boots, singlets, tank tops, leggings, pocket knives, magazines, laser lights or electronics such as mp3 players, iPods and game boys. No nuts or nut based products and strictly no lollies. If students are found with these items, disciplinary action will occur and the items will be confiscated. We ask students not to bring expensive items in case of damage, loss or theft. We also ask students not to bring aerosol cans, as spraying in confined spaces can trigger asthma, headaches or hay fever.

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Handy Hints The skills, knowledge and values your son/daughter has developed on previous camping trips at MacKillop College can assist them with the Year 9 Outdoor Education Experience. However, each experience is different as the elements the students face will change with each new environment. The Outdoor Education department has come up with a few handy hints to make your son/daughter’s experience a warm and positive one. The Goulburn River Experience is conducted in Spring and we need to emphasise that the weather will be one of the challenges we will face. During the day: It is recommended that all students should ‘slip, slop, slap and slurp’ every two hours. For the duration of the day they will be out on the water, students must wear a hat that covers their entire head (no hat, no play). Singlets and tank tops are unsuitable and students’ arms, backs and necks should be protected from sun exposure at all times. We suggest that students drink water regularly to help them keep hydrated and avoid headaches. Recommended daily intake of water while active is between 2 ½ - 3 litres. During the cooler climate, students will be provided with a japara and over pants for their comfort; also wearing a beanie, gloves and thermals will help to keep maintain their body temperature. Sleeping: If your son/daughter suffers from the cold or if you are unhappy with the warmth of your sleeping bag for autumn camping, here are some ideas we have used to keep us warm:

1. Purchase or borrow a warmer sleeping bag that is graded for colder conditions. 2. Purchase or make a polar fleece inner sheet.

General warmth: Polypropylene thermal underwear is a compulsory item which your son/daughter needs to have; such items will ensure your son/daughter stays warm in cold and moist weather. It doesn’t matter if you get wet when wearing polypropylene because it dries very quickly using the body’s heat and keeps you warm in the process, unlike cotton material which draws the heat from your body, leaving you cold.

For a super warm experience one of the best outer garments you can wear is made of polar fleece (like the MacKillop College sports fleece). Polar fleece works like thermal underwear - should it get wet, it dries quickly keeping you warm at the same time. Remember it’s not a fashion parade and looking good doesn’t always keep you warm. If you are finding it hard to find polar fleece outer garments, please make sure your son/daughter has at least some thermal underwear.

Keeping warm is important; the aforementioned equipment list will be a must if your son/daughter wishes to continue in Outdoor Education at MacKillop College.

The Uniform Shop sells thermal underwear at a reasonable price. Hopefully this booklet has answered any questions that you may have had regarding the Year 9 Outdoor Education Goulburn River Experience. If you have any further questions, please contact the College.

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Journal Day 1

Name: In the spaces provided write answers to questions or finish statements made. What do you hope to achieve by having four days away from home with your homeroom on the Goulburn River?

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• What are some of my personal aims/goals for the Goulburn River Experience?

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In the next four days I hope to develop (eg personal/physical skills)…

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• I hope to learn (eg about myself, others and the environment)…

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Fear/challenges I wish to overcome in the next three days include…

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Journal Day 2 What is the water in the Goulburn River used for?

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Draw a picture of a particular place/ view that interested you on the river today. Provide a 10 – 15 word word splash to describe your day.

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Journal Day 3 At St Mary’s, the focus is oriented around ‘Interconnectedness’ and more specifically your connectedness with sustainability and the environment. Drawing on your observations and investigations over the last few days, how has human impact affected the river system (ie changes in water quality due to fertiliser use and farm animals upstream)?

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What are some minimal impact practices that we as a group have used during the experience to ensure we look after the land and water?

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Imagine you are a land manager writing a canoeing Code of Conduct for the Goulburn River. List 3 important guidelines which relate to the river’s health

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List some things you learnt about Tahbilk Winery and the surrounding region:

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Journal Day 4

Reflect on what you have learnt about yourself by answering the following questions…

Circle the number next to the question on the scale 1 to 5 (5 - all the time and 1- not to my full potential) that best describes your efforts on the Outdoor Experience.

Question Scale My attitude on this experience has been positive

1 2 3 4 5

I have been caring and supportive of others in the group

1 2 3 4 5 I have communicated my needs in an effective manner over the last four days

1 2 3 4 5

I have looked after the environment

1 2 3 4 5

I have contributed to the group, cooking, cleaning, setting up, packing away, leading etc.

1 2 3 4 5

In the space provided reflect on: Your proudest moment on the Goulburn River experience _ ___________ _____ Your highlight of the experience ___________ _________________ Your lowlight of the experience ___________________ _____ _______________________________________________________________________

Your skill in canoeing _________________ _______________________________________________________________________

What you would do differently next time ___________ _______________________________________________________________________ What you learnt about minimal impact camping _____ _______________________________________________________________________