A.B. Paterson College and the people of Winton have built a meaningful and strong relationship over the last almost three decades. Since 1994, the Winton Camp has been a much-anticipated rite of passage for the Year 6 students of A.B. Paterson College, a character-building nine-day trek. During this camp, our students participate in a tour of Winton and its surrounding areas, taking in Lark Quarry, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Exhibition, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, the Waltzing Matilda Centre, an open-air cinema called The Royal Theatre in Winton, Camden Park Station, Ayrshire Downs sheep station, The Combo Waterhole and the Qantas Founders Museum.
The opening was attended by representatives of our A.B. Paterson College Board, past staff Mr and Mrs Bill Cunnington (who attended the very first camp in 1994), Mr and Mrs Alan Rickard (College Patron) as well as the Winton Shire Mayor, Mr Gavin Baskett and the Winton Council, Mr Lachlan Millar MP, and of course the Year 6 cohort.
A.B. Paterson College has a strong and enduring connection with the outback and, more specifically, with the people of Winton. Named after a prominent and leading Australian, Andrew Barton Paterson, the College has as one of its aims, to educate and enable young people to experience the wonderful outback of Australia, to learn about the history of our nation, to meet the people of the outback, and to experience the wonders of our land (and in doing so, support economic development and educational opportunities in outback educational tourism).
For this reason, the A.B. Paterson College Board made the decision to purchase land in Winton and develop a facility that would provide security and longevity for the College’s aim of continuing to engage with the Winton community, and a vehicle with which to continue our promotion of the outback and our Australian history.
Proudly named ‘Barty’s Place’ after Andrew Barton Paterson, A.B. Paterson College has now completed the development of a purpose-built accommodation site for school and community groups to reside and use as a springboard to experience Winton and the greater surrounding central western Queensland region.
Barty’s Place is a unique and truly special place to stay for a genuine outback experience, and we know that every year our Year 6 students thoroughly enjoy the entire journey.
Please enjoy some photos of our official opening!
Joanne Sheehy | Principal
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