Day 1: Perth to Canberra
Our Eastern States Adventure officially began yesterday morning as Staff and Students arrived at Terminal 1 of Perth Airport around 8am, excited and ready for the week ahead. After checking in and spending some time saying goodbye to family members and heading through security, we gathered together for prayer before our journey. Mr Baggaley prayed for safe travels, peace and a great time, and students then split into their groups for a short briefing and introductory activity to help set the scene for the trip ahead.
Before long, it was time to board our flight. Thankfully, we enjoyed a reasonably smooth take-off and were soon on our way to Sydney. Students behaved so well and were super polite on the flight that Mr Chapman received no less than SEVEN compliments from the staff and general public about them.
Upon arrival, students collected their luggage, filled their water bottles, and made a quick stop at the bathrooms before we met our coach driver, Grant. After loading the coach, we began the journey towards our accommodation.
The drive provided plenty of opportunities for students to relax and enjoy some entertainment. We attempted to watch The Mighty Ducks, although a temperamental DVD player had other ideas! Thankfully, we had better success with Space Jam later in the trip. We stopped at Sutton Forest for dinner, where McDonald’s was exceptionally busy due to another, much larger school group also passing through. Despite the crowds, everyone enjoyed their meal and the chance to stretch their legs.
As the evening continued, the coach was filled with laughter, singing, and plenty of enthusiasm as students belted out classic songs together—including a memorable rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody!
After arriving at our accommodation, students unpacked, showered, and settled in for the night. Before bed, we gathered for our first devotion of the trip. Mr Chapman shared from Deuteronomy 31:8, reminding students that God goes before us wherever we travel:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
It was a wonderful way to begin our adventure together and a reminder that God is with us every step of the journey.
With everyone tired from a big day of travel, students settled quickly and enjoyed a good night’s sleep, ready for our first full day exploring Canberra.
Day 2: Discovering the Heart of Australian Democracy
After a great first night’s sleep, students were up bright and early, getting ready for the day in their formal uniforms before enjoying a hot breakfast together. With excitement building, we boarded the coach and headed into the centre of Australia’s democracy – Parliament House.
Our visit to Parliament House was a genuine highlight of the day. During our tour, we were fortunate to be visited by Trish Cook MP, the Member for Bullwinkel, who spent some time chatting with students about her role and answering questions. We were also privileged to meet Western Australian Senator Emily Whiteaker, who shared insights into her work representing our state in Federal Parliament.
Adding to the excitement, this week marked the first sitting week following the parliamentary recess. This meant students had the unique opportunity to enter the public galleries and observe both the Senate and the House of Representatives in action. Watching real parliamentary debates and proceedings unfold before them was an incredible experience and brought their learning about government and democracy to life in a very tangible way.
Following our morning at Parliament House, students enjoyed a delicious hamburger lunch and some time to burn off energy in the playground before heading into the National Capital Exhibition.
At the exhibition, students learned about the fascinating history of Canberra, including why it was chosen as Australia’s capital city and how its unique design came to be. They discovered the many factors that influenced the city’s development before putting their own planning skills to the test by working in groups to design and create their own capital cities.
The afternoon continued with a driving embassy tour through Canberra’s diplomatic precinct. Students were fascinated by the architecture and stories behind the many High Commissions and Embassies representing countries from around the world.
Our next stop was Government House, the official residence of Her Excellency Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Australia’s Governor-General. Staff welcomed us and provided an introduction before leading us on a guided tour through this significant national building. Students were able to explore rooms where important meetings, ceremonies and moments in Australia’s history have taken place. One particular highlight was seeing the Governor-General’s Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, which generated plenty of interest and excitement.
We were also thrilled when Dylan and Eliana were selected to sign the official Visitors Book on behalf of our group. This was a special honour and a memorable moment that they will no doubt remember for years to come.
To conclude a wonderful day, we travelled to Mount Ainslie Lookout. From the summit, students were able to take in spectacular views across Canberra and identify many of the landmarks and design features they had learned about earlier in the day. Seeing the city’s carefully planned layout from above helped connect many of the concepts explored throughout our visit.
After returning to our accommodation, students enjoyed dinner together before participating in some evening activities, including some basketball or soccer on the accomodations sports ground. Following showers, we gathered for our nightly devotion. Mr Baggaley shared from Psalm 19:1:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Students were encouraged to reflect on the beauty, order and design they had observed throughout the day and to recognise how creation points us towards our Creator. Whether looking across the Canberra landscape from Mount Ainslie or appreciating the intricate design of the city itself, we were reminded that God’s fingerprints can be seen all around us.
After a busy and rewarding day, everyone settled into bed ready for another exciting day of adventures.
We continue to be incredibly proud of the way students are representing Southern Hills Christian College. Their manners, enthusiasm and willingness to engage with each experience have been outstanding, and we are looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow.
Day 3: Learning from the Past, Exploring the Future
Students woke to our coldest Canberra morning yet, with temperatures sitting at a chilly -2°C! While it was certainly a shock stepping out of warm cabins into the frosty air, everyone layered up, embraced the cold start, and enjoyed a hot breakfast before heading out for another exciting day of learning and adventure.
Our first stop was the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, where students participated in the “People Power and Making Change” program. Through interactive activities and discussions, students explored how everyday Australians have influenced our nation’s history and how citizens can make a difference in society. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with Australia’s democratic journey in the very building where so many important decisions were once made.
From there, we walked across to the National Electoral Education Centre, where students learned about the importance of voting in a democratic society and how Australians have a voice in shaping the future of our nation. Through a range of engaging activities, students explored how elections work and why every vote matters. One of the highlights was taking part in their own mock election to determine Australia’s favourite fruit. After a closely contested campaign between apples, peaches, bananas and oranges, the humble apple emerged victorious! The hands-on experience helped students better understand the electoral process while having plenty of fun along the way.
A hot pizza lunch awaited us on the grounds of Old Parliament House, providing a welcome opportunity to warm up and refuel after a busy morning of learning. After lunch, we set off on a walk along ANZAC Parade towards one of Australia’s most significant landmarks, the Australian War Memorial. Along the way, students paused to observe the many memorials dedicated to Australians who have served our country in conflicts around the world.
At the Australian War Memorial, students participated in the “We Will Remember Them” education program, learning about the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women throughout our nation’s history. A particular highlight was learning about Vivian Bullwinkel, the Australian Army nurse and war hero for whom the federal electorate of Bullwinkel—where Southern Hills Christian College is located—is named. Students were fascinated to see her actual uniform and hear her remarkable story of courage, resilience and service during World War II. The experience provided a meaningful opportunity for reflection and appreciation, and students engaged respectfully and thoughtfully throughout the visit.
The afternoon then took us to Geoscience Australia, where students explored the Geological Timewalk and outdoor displays before participating in a facilitated learning program. Students discovered fascinating facts about Australia’s geological history, natural resources, earthquakes, mapping technologies and the science used to understand our ever-changing planet.
Our final destination for the day was the Australian Institute of Sport. After some time exploring the displays and visiting the shop, students enjoyed a guided tour of the AIS facilities and participated in the popular Sportex experience. There was plenty of excitement as students tested their sporting skills and learned about the training, dedication and perseverance required to compete at an elite level.
Following dinner back at our accommodation, students were excited to enjoy their nightly phone calls home, sharing stories from the first few days of the trip and hearing from their families. It was wonderful to see how much they had already experienced and how eager they were to tell others about their adventures.
As the day came to a close, excitement levels were incredibly high. Tomorrow brings two of the most anticipated experiences of the entire trip — Questacon and our snow day at Corin Forest! Needless to say, there were plenty of smiles, lots of discussion and not much difficulty convincing students to get to bed and be well rested for the adventures ahead.
Once again, we continue to receive compliments from staff and facilitators at the various venues we have visited. Students have represented Southern Hills Christian College exceptionally well through their manners, engagement and respectful behaviour. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to another amazing day together. Day 3 photos and the Corin Forest Live Snow Cam link will be posted tomorrow morning.
Day 4: Science, Snow and Smiles
After another chilly Canberra morning, students enjoyed a hot breakfast before heading off for what many had been eagerly anticipating since the trip was first announced – Questacon and our snow day at Corin Forest!
Our first stop was Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre. Students spent the morning exploring the many interactive exhibits, testing scientific theories, solving challenges and experiencing hands-on learning in a way that only Questacon can provide. From engineering challenges to physics demonstrations and everything in between, there was something to capture everyone’s interest. The excitement and enthusiasm throughout the visit were infectious, with students fully engaging in the experiences on offer.
Following our morning at Questacon, we travelled to the National Arboretum Canberra. Students enjoyed some time exploring the popular Pod Playground, climbing, balancing and adventuring through the unique play spaces. There was plenty of laughter and energy as students made the most of the opportunity to play together in one of Canberra’s most impressive playgrounds.
Rather than staying at the Arboretum for lunch, we travelled to a picturesque picnic area beside one of Canberra’s spillways. With beautiful surroundings and plenty of space to play and relax, students enjoyed lunch together before we continued on to the highlight of the day.
In the afternoon, we made our way to Corin Forest for our long-awaited snow experience. After collecting snow gear and getting rugged up for the cold conditions (well, not Mr Chapman- he didn’t wear a jumper or jacket!), students headed out into the snow for an unforgettable afternoon.
The snow certainly did not disappoint! Students threw snowballs, built snow creations, slid down snowy slopes on toboggans and embraced every moment of their time in the alpine environment. Smiles could be seen everywhere as students enjoyed experiences that many had never had before. It was wonderful to see every student fully involved, encouraging one another and making the most of this unique opportunity.
The positive feedback continued throughout the day, with facilitators once again commenting on the outstanding behaviour, manners and engagement of our students. We even received a compliment from a member of the public, who took the time to tell staff how impressed they were with the way our students conducted themselves. These moments are always particularly encouraging and reflect the values that our students and families bring to our school community.
After returning to our accommodation, students enjoyed dinner together before turning their attention to an important task – packing. With a very early breakfast and departure scheduled for tomorrow morning, everyone worked hard to organise their luggage and prepare for the next stage of our adventure.
To finish the day, we gathered together for our evening devotion. Mrs Mills encouraged students to reflect on Isaiah 41:10 and the theme of Walking in Faith: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” She also shared from Psalm 145:4, reminding students that God is at work throughout history and across generations: “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
These passages provided a fitting conclusion to our time in Canberra as students reflected on the people, places and stories they have encountered throughout the week, while looking ahead to the adventures still to come.
With bags packed and excitement building, students settled in for the night. Tomorrow we farewell Canberra and begin our journey to Melbourne, including a stop at the historic township of Glenrowan along the way.
Once again, we are incredibly proud of the way our students are representing Southern Hills Christian College. Their enthusiasm, resilience, kindness and respect continue to shine wherever we go, and we look forward to the next chapter of our adventure together.
Day 5: From Canberra to Melbourne
Today marked a big travel day as we farewelled Canberra and began the next stage of our Eastern States Adventure.
The day started very early, with students waking before sunrise to pack their final belongings, clean their cabins and enjoy breakfast before loading the coach. It was another cold morning, but students were organised, efficient and ready to go. By 7:00am, luggage was loaded, students were settled into their seats, and we were on our way towards Melbourne.
As we travelled through the Australian countryside, we made several comfort stops along the journey. One of the highlights was our morning tea stop in Holbrook, home of the famous HMAS Otway submarine. Students enjoyed stretching their legs, exploring the parklands and taking a closer look at the impressive submarine that now sits proudly in the middle of regional New South Wales. It was a fascinating reminder of Australia’s naval history and made for some great photo opportunities.
After continuing south, we arrived in Glenrowan, one of Australia’s most famous historic towns. Following lunch at Lions Park, students had the opportunity to visit Kellyland and experience the renowned “Ned Kelly’s Last Stand” animatronic show.
To say the experience was a hit would be an understatement! The animatronic presentation was absolutely amazing and quickly became one of the most talked-about experiences of the trip so far. Students were captivated by the storytelling, sound effects and lifelike displays as they learned about the events surrounding Ned Kelly and the famous siege at Glenrowan – even if there were a few scary moments along the way! The experience brought Australian history to life in a memorable and engaging way.
After our visit, we continued our journey into Melbourne, arriving at Urban Camp in the evening. Students settled into their new accommodation, unpacked their belongings and quickly made themselves at home as we prepared for the Melbourne portion of our adventure.
Dinner was a delicious pasta meal accompanied by garlic bread, which was thoroughly enjoyed after a long day on the road. The meal provided a great opportunity for students to relax, chat about the day‘s highlights and look ahead to the exciting experiences still to come.
Following dinner and showers, we gathered together for our evening devotion. Mr Chapman shared from 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, exploring the theme of Unity in the Body of Christ.
Students reflected on how God has created each person uniquely, with different gifts, talents and strengths. Just as the body has many parts that work together, we were reminded that every member of our group is important and has a valuable role to play. It was a fitting message as students continue to support, encourage and care for one another throughout our journey.
After a very early start and many kilometres travelled, students were more than ready for bed. It wasn’t long before the camp had settled into a quiet evening, with everyone looking forward to visiting Sovereign Hill tomorrow.
Day 6: Stepping Back into the Gold Rush
After enjoying breakfast together at Urban Camp, we boarded the coach and set off for Ballarat. The 90-minute journey passed quickly as students relaxed and enjoyed watching Disney’s Aladdin together before arriving at one of Victoria’s most iconic attractions – Sovereign Hill.
With beautiful sunshine greeting us, it was the perfect day to explore this living museum of Australia’s gold rush history. Students had some time to wander through the historic streets before our first education session, “Chinese People on the Goldfields”. This engaging presentation gave students an insight into the important role Chinese migrants played during the Victorian gold rush and the challenges they faced while building new lives in Australia.
Throughout the day, students explored the township, visited the traditional shops and watched the streets come alive with characters dressed in period costume. It truly felt like stepping back into the 1850s.
One of the biggest highlights was the Gold Pour Demonstration. Students watched as molten gold was carefully poured into a mould before seeing the finished 3-kilogram gold bar, worth an incredible $580,000! Needless to say, there were plenty of wide eyes as students learned just how valuable a single gold bar can be. Three lucky students were even given the opportunity to hold the solid gold bar – a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they won’t forget anytime soon!
Another memorable experience was venturing underground into the Red Hill Mine. As students walked through the tunnels, they discovered what life was like for miners during the Ballarat gold rush. The tour helped bring history to life as students experienced the dark, narrow mine passages and learned about the determination, hard work and risks faced by those searching for gold more than 170 years ago.
After a fantastic day of learning and exploration, we returned to Urban Camp for dinner, followed by a delicious dessert. Students then enjoyed their evening phone calls home, excitedly sharing the many adventures and highlights from the past few days with their families. While students took turns calling home, others relaxed together and enjoyed watching a movie, providing a nice way to wind down after another busy day.
Today was also special for another reason—it was Scarlett’s 11th birthday!
We enjoyed celebrating Scarlett with a birthday card signed by everyone on the trip, including our wonderful coach driver, Grant. She was also presented with a small gift from Sovereign Hill and surprised with a birthday cake complete with candles. Throughout the day, Scarlett received several thoughtful gifts from her friends, making her birthday one to remember. The only challenge now might be fitting everything into her suitcase before we fly home on Sunday!
With another wonderful day behind us, students settled in for the evening, looking forward to our final full day of adventures in Melbourne tomorrow.
