Mt. Gravatt High Busgwalkers on tour with Sunnybank Charter Coaches.
Camping on Whitsunday Island
From 1966 to 1974 I organised bushwalking trips for students at Mt. Gravatt High School. There were weekend trips through the year and a longer trip each August vacation. In 1966, 1969 and 1972 these holiday trips were to Carnarvon NP. Last night I attended a reunion gathering of the Mt. Gravatt senior class from 1972. Among the 30 or so present were several students who had been on trips in 1970-1972. What great memories we have of those bushwalking adventures,and it is great to hear how they have followed up introducing their own children to the outdoors. In an address at the Outdoor Educators Association of Queensland conference last year, I said that those trips with Mt. Gravatt High students were the best outdoor education programs I ever conducted. The students arranged their own gear, food, cooking, and with a little guidance day walks away from the base camps. We were not shackled by Education Department regulations and punitive work place heath and safety restrictions. Students had the freedom to explore and soak up the lovely ambience of the natural world.
Below are some photographs from those trips. I any reader recognises someone in the photos please let me know by adding a comment to this blog.
At Balancing Rock Girraween NP
One of the Mt. Gravatt Bushwalkers camp sites.
Crossing Carnarvon Creek after rain
Hello Bob
I was a student at Mt Gravatt High School from 1965 to 1969 and was a member of the Bushwalkers Club during 1968 and 1969(Sub Senior and Senior years). I well remember you as my Geography teacher along with a Mr. Brunner. They were wonderful years and I have such great memories of field trips both locally and interstate. I particularly remember trips to “Lost World” somewhere near Brisbane and Stanthorpe where I remember it lightly snowing while cooking our camp breakfast. This was possibly while we were on our way to the Warrumbungle Ranges in NSW for our yearly trip. A great adventure with the Sunnybank Bus Service and driver (Ron – I think). So much learnt in all aspects of life on these trips and in those days with your guidance to be able to explore and learn without all the restraints of todays bureaucratic interference and regulations.
I remember the never ending pink roneograph handouts in your geography classes – they must have worked because I believe I scored a “B” in the final exam.
I do hope you receive this and that it finds you in good health.
Again, thank you for the education and some of the best days of my life.
Best Regards
Ian Pratley
Cairns
email : igprat@hotmail.com
mob : 0439 745239