Geography

including 102 credits and 31 distinctions. Particular mention should go to Year 10 student Marcus Karam who achieved a High Distinction, placing him in the top 1% of the state. Well done Marcus and to all who participated: Year 7 – Wesley College, Elsternwick Xavier Rhoden, Jameson Clarke, Liam Bonato, Ben Richter, Luke Saldanha, Romolo Persi, Alex Camm and Nick Priddle Year 8 – Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School Patrick Frencken, Harry Gustin, Henry Prendergast Kruger, James Biviano, Mark O’Connor, Jackson Sturge, Hee Jae Shi and Ben Tran Year 10 – Mt Scopus College, Burwood Jeffrey Su, Jonathan Wijaksono, Conor Rate, Marcus Karam, Elliot Fabris, Liam Gava, Lachlan Kafer and Xavier Wigg

Ms Lucy Russell

The great jazz musician Louis Armstrong became synonymous with the song ‘What a Wonderful World’ and most of us have probably hummed the tune or sung along whenever we hear the tune played. While Louis Armstrong may not be the patron saint of Geographers, his song is undoubtedly the theme song for Geography. It is, indeed, a wonderful world and, as world population and resource use grow, that world is coming under great pressure. It is incumbent upon humanity to look after our home, to save it from despoilation. We must treat the Earth as we would treat the house in which we live. Geographers are blessed with the task of helping us to do just that, by helping us to understand the complex workings of our environment — the landscapes, the oceans, the atmosphere, the rivers, the forests, the deserts. This is why it is important that Geography continues to be a strong subject in schools — to awaken in our young people an understanding and appreciation of the world around us. They are the environmental custodians of the future. I have been blessed to have studied and taught this great subject for many years. I have never tired of discovering new things, asking new questions and helping to find answers to those questions. It has been a joy and a pleasure to impart my love of Geography to thousands of students throughout my teaching career. To all future students I say “Listen to Louis Armstrong sing ‘What a Wonderful World’” It is. I encourage you to learn about it, look after it and enjoy it!

Mr Doug Esler