Community
26 June, 2024
Bush kids thrive in the cold of Canberra
The Mount Isa School of the Air Year 6 students had a ball in the capital.
Students from some of the most remote parts of Australia had grins from ear to ear when they landed in Mount Isa on Friday after a whirlwind trip to Canberra.
Twelve students and three staff members from the Mount Isa School of the Air left the North West Queensland capital last Monday and spent three full days in the capital, with the obvious highlight a day trip to Perisher where many saw snow for the first time.
While it was an educational trip, teacher Lauren Stokes said there was no doubt the snow would be the most memorable experience.
“They were freezing but they loved it,” she said.
“They had gloves and beanies on for most of the trip.”
The Year 6 students came from all over the Outback, including as far south as Birdsville and as far north as Darwin.
One student even made the trip from Vanderlin Island, a tiny isle on the Northern Territory side of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
On day one of the trip, the group visited the Australian War Memorial and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony, before heading to Parliament House, where they were able to partake in some role playing exercises.
The day wrapped up with a trip to Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre.
On the Wednesday, the students piled into a bus and drove for two-and-a-half hours to get to Perisher.
“They thought the snow would be light and fluffy but it was compact and hard,” Ms Stokes said.
“That didn’t stop them from throwing a few snowballs!”
North West Weekly understands that some of the teachers even got involved in a makeshift snowball fight at one stage.
After hours of playing in the ice-cold conditions, there were plenty of weary bodies on the bus back to Canberra.
On the final day, the group went to the Museum of Australian Democracy, the Australian Electoral Education Centre, the CSIRO, and the Australian Institute of Sport.
“We wanted to get as much in as possible because it’s a long way from Mount Isa and even further for a lot kids who had to travel a long way just to get home from Mount Isa,” Ms Stokes said.
“The trip wouldn’t have been possible without a community effort and it was supported with fundraising from the P&C families, the school and PACER (Parliament and Civics Education Rebate).”