On Tuesday, 4 and Wednesday, 5 June, the Year 10 Social Science class attended the Australian’s at War History Experience Camp at Emu Gully. It was our seventh year participating in this camp but the first year where the students chose one of their goals over the two days was to be, ‘no complaining.’ 

This resolve was tested.  

After listening to the experiences of Vietnam veterans Dennis and Leo, the Vietnam Tunnel’s and Hell Fire Pass Railway challenges of the first day and night were heightened by freezing winds and temperatures that struggled to rise above 5°C. Thankfully, the temperature on day two was much more amenable to re-enacting Templeton’s Crossing and the mud pits of the Kokoda Track.  

Every year at this camp I am blown away by the students’ capacity to embrace the Anzac character values of courage, perseverance, self-sacrifice and mateship. Adding the dimension of ‘no complaining’ lifted the expectations to a new level. Thank you again for accompanying us Mrs. Eory and well done to all the students on meeting the challenge.

Dr. Hine, Year 10 Social Science teacher