Day 8 - War Memorial & Questacon

DAY 8 Blog 3-7-2013

This morning we went back to the War Memorial and visited the Discovery Centre. We got to dress up and we were able to feel what it was like to go on a submarine and a helicopter from the war times. We sat on the toilet of the submarine and pretended to have a shower as well. Apparently if you were a cook you got a 30 second shower every day but if you were in the crew it was a 30 second shower once a week. We put on outfits and had fun. We also learned how to keep safe during a bombing raid and were told what it was like in London by a veteran. (Alyssa)

In the Discovery Zone we heard information about World War II and what the Australian soldiers did in the trenches.  I really enjoyed walking through the submarine, dressing up, looking through the binoculars, and playing with the steering wheel. After the war memorial we had lunch, which was Subway, in the Sculpture gardens of the National Gallery. We walked around the looking at the sculptures and at all the statues. We then went on to Questacon and I had a lot of fun on the free-fall drop and the air hockey. (Zachary)

Today when we went to Questacon there were lots of different things to do. I really liked the air hockey table where you played against the robot. I even managed to score a point against the machine. There were 4 stories of science fun. (Jesse)

The Questacon building was massive and it had lots of levels. My favourite gallery was number 7 because it had lots of flashing lights and neon activities. My favourite activity was cross air hockey, where you played air hockey with a table in the shape of a cross and a spinning wheel in the middle. I also enjoyed the rocket science 101 show. The best rocket was the one that blew off unexpectedly, at the end, because there was a delayed reaction between the bi-carbonate soda and water in the bottle and when it went off, it hit the roof and crashed across the floor. It was BORSCHT! (Liam D)

DAY 7 - "SNOW"

DAY 7 Blog 2-7-2013

Today we went to the SNOW!  It was really cold.  We woke up at 5.15am, had breakfast, got snow gear and went to Perisher Valley.  We also went to the top of the mountain on a chair lift today. When we were up there I hid behind a rock, made snowballs and threw them at people from behind the rock. I had an awesome time. (Jordan)

As we drove along we passed by a lake that was part of the Snowy Mountain hydroelectricity scheme. It has engulfed one historical hut where Banjo Patterson wrote the poem “The Man from Snowy River.” (Luc)

When we were at the snow today I was going down the hill on the toboggan when Mr Ryall with his little camera zoomed into my face and made me laugh, as I went down the slope. It was really great fun in the snow. Alyssa and I also built a fort but it failed. (Melanie)

We were out of bed very early, got jackets, pants, snow boots and helmets from Cooma. When we arrived we had a few runs on toboggan slopes and that was very exciting.

I was also in the soft snow today, building a fort, when suddenly there was a flying snowball that appeared out of nowhere and it hit me in the head! I couldn’t see where it came from but then I saw Jordan hiding behind a rock throwing snowballs. (Jemma)

The mountain top was very windy and it was so strong it held up my bodyweight. I could not believe that I could lean back into the wind and it felt like a hand was pushing in my back to hold me up. It was incredible. The snow in most places was too icy for a proper snowball fight but it was still a great day. At the end of the day we had a hot chocolate the MacDonald’s for dinner and back to camp for bed. (Luc) 

Day 6 Old and New Parliament + Duntroon

DAY 6 Blog 1-7-2013

Today we went to the Australian Electoral Commission and learnt how to vote. Then we went to the old parliament house where we role played in the senate. It was a very formal day and I enjoyed visiting the Changi Chapel and learning about the prisoners of war who built it. (Brianna)

Our morning started at the Electoral commission where we got taught about voting and what happens to our votes. Our tour guides’ name was Ray Gunn. When we left we went to the Museum of Australian Democracy at old Parliament House. We got inside and put gloves on to keep the heritage artefacts clean. We focused on a debate about the Franklin River Dam. We re-enacted the debate which was fun. Some of us got dressed up as the clerk and president. Overall, it was very exciting and was a good experience.

(Michael)

At the Museum of Australian Democracy (Old parliament house) we learnt a lot about politics and the constitution. We then traveled to our current Parliament. We went through security and then we were taken on a tour of the building. Later we role played a mock debate as the House of Representatives. I was part of the opposition and our team won. We traveled back to Eaglehawk to pack and go to bed. I’m excited about the snow. It’s been great. 

(Chad)

Our final activity today was at the new parliament house where we acted out a role play and I was the Prime minister. We debated a bill about abolishing TV advertisements during Kids TV time, but my side lost because the two independents Jordan and Owen went to the other side. Even when Mel and Jemma came to my side we lost by 2 votes. It was excellent. 
(Natalia)