Year 6 Winton Tour - Days 4 to 9
Day 4 Winton Camp was jam-packed and filled with so many amazing memories...
After a satisfying breakfast on campsite, our Year 6 students travelled to the Longreach School of Distance Education, who cater for the education of isolated students in an area about twice the size of Victoria! Our students and staff were even able to experience an on-air lesson during their guided tour. The staff at the School are proud in the knowledge that they are nurturing bright, young and industrious rural Australians.
Our Year 6 students then went on to the one and only Qantas Founders Museum and Boeing 747, which is the only place in the world where you can tour two fully equipped passenger jet aircraft. The ex-Qantas 747-200 VH-EBQ is permanently located at the Museum and is open for guided tours including a unique wing walk experience. With some roof, wall and floor panels removed, the tour gave our students an informative insight into the secrets of this magnificent aircraft.
Our Year 6 students went on to be amazed at our Aussie Outback heritage at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, where they discovered the history behind some of Australia's bravest and most intrepid explorers - the stockmen and Aborigines of early pioneering Australia. Over 60% per cent of the collection is on display whilst the remainder has formed a unique work in progress display.
After eating their packed lunches at the venues, Our Year 6 students moved on to the Camden Park Station, where they were fortunate enough to meet the met Walker family on their property that hosted the Queen and Prince Phillip! It was there our students experienced a sheep and cattle station very close to the town of Longreach. They walked through the historical Homestead Gardens, Shearing Shed, Cattle Yards and enjoyed the afternoon with Outback Dan and his crew, who entertained our Year 6 students all afternoon and into the evening with activities and yarns. They even helped prep a traditional campfire meal followed on with some star and planet gazing in another incredible Outback experience!
Day 5 - Barty's Place Welcome
A very special Day 5 Winton Camp for our Year 6 students, as they departed Longreach and arrived in Winton, where they were greeted by Winton Mayor, Gavin Baskett and Councillors, A.B. Paterson College Board Chair, David Tanner, A.B. Paterson College Principal, Joanne Sheehy, A.B. Paterson College Captain, Charley Ellwood and A.B. Paterson College Vice Captain, Charles Morris for a special welcome ceremony.
Our Year 6 students have gone down in history books as the very first cohort to walk the grounds of our brand new accommodation site, Barty's Place. Each Year 6 student received a Barty's Place memorability badge for keepsake of this very special occasion.
The official opening of Barty's Place will be happening early next year, however our Year 6 students are the first to stay in the almost complete venue.
Our students also put on a fabulous concert in the park where many guests were able to share in and witness the amazing talents and the good character our A.B. students are known for!
We look forward to sharing more photos of their adventures with you all as we receive them.
Day 6 Winton Camp
Our Year 6 students took on exploration throughout the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, where they discovered the world of dinosaurs with a tour of the facility and Australia's largest dinosaur fossil collection. Our Year 6 students learnt where they find dinosaurs, how they dig up their gigantic bones and clean away the rock they’re entombed in and experienced working with real dinosaur bones. They watched how to prepare fossils and piece together a 100 million year old dinosaur, and helped with the important task of finding new fossils by sieving soil from a real dinosaur dig site – Ultimate Dinosaur Canyon Tour.
Our 6 students also ventured through the Waltzing Matilda Centre, in the heart of Winton, which is the world’s only tourism attraction dedicated to a song. With 'homestead' buildings nestled around a peaceful billabong, center to the life of the swaggie, and the true spirit of each Australian.
Day 7 of Winton Camp 2022
Did the jolly swagman camp by Combo Waterhole? Our Year 6 students experienced on Day 7, one of the highlights and special moments of the Winton Camp... The Combo Waterhole. It is Combo Waterholes that reputedly inspired 'Banjo' Paterson to write Waltzing Matilda, Australia's most popular song! They are a refuge for wildlife during dry times.
After an emotional and traditional tribute by our chosen Year 6 student to throw our A.B. hat down the waterhole, our students enjoyed their packed lunch, then made their way back to Barty's Place to prepare for the Talent Show; worked on their reflections; played some quiet games; and then of course had to sneak in some sunset silhouette photos on Winton Hill - can you spot your little cherub?
Day 8 of Winton Camp 2022
What a day for our Year 6 students! An early wake up before jumping on the bus to travel from Winton to Rubyvale. Here, the students explored Miner's Heritage Walk-In Mine - Australia's largest walk-in underground sapphire mine. Some treasures were found when they then had the opportunity to fossick for their own gems.
After their mining adventures, the students then travelled to Emerald where they set up camp at the Pavilion before a campsite dinner followed by their homegrown entertainment in 'A.B.'s Got Talent'!
We are looking forward to welcoming our weary travellers back this evening and wish them a safe final leg of their journey!
Welcome Back to our Year 6 Adventurers!
The wind may have been chilly at A.B. Paterson College last night, but the hugs from waiting loved ones were oh so warm! We are thrilled to see you back after your life-changing journey to Winton and back. We can't wait to hear all of your stories and favourite parts.
To the staff and parent helpers who took the long journey with our travellers - thank you for all that you do to help build our young people into strong and independent students - we could see the boost in their confidence last night already!
Our Winton trip is at the heart of A.B. Paterson College traditions and genuine love and appreciation for our Aussie Outback. We know the memories our Year 6 students made of this special and unique trip, will live in and through them forever!
