CAMPING AND EXCURSION PROGRAMS

The camping and excursion program has always been an integral part of the culture of Edward School.

The camping program had its birth back in 1977 with the first of Adrian Parker’s famous river camps on the Edward River at Bolton’s property on the outskirts of town.

These camps are no doubt remembered by participants for the legendary Parker’s ‘river stew’, brisk 10 kilometre cross country hikes, fishing, swimming, tent accommodation, ‘state of the art’ toilet facilities, camp fire sing-a-longs, concerts, Parker and Armitage’s’ famous ghost stories and ‘twisties on a stick.’ Col Butcher’s magnificent scones from the camp oven, served with strawberry jam and whipped cream were also a delight!

The camps were held as a socialising and practical camping experience for Year 5 students before the major excursion the following year. The first trips to Canberra in the late 1970s were made in mid-winter with tent camping and catering by accompanying staff and parents. The theory was that basic tent accommodation and self catering kept the cost to an affordable level for families. Memories include rolling against the side of nylon tents and hearing the ice crackle and slide down the aside, then huddling round the camp fire each morning. A vivid memory from an early trip was boarding the bus (with students still in pyjamas and sleeping bags) one morning at 5am and travelling into town. Students were able witness the spectacle of hundreds of hot air balloons rising silently and majestically over Lake Burley Griffin in the first light of dawn.

Other places were visited including Tumut, Broken Hill, Ballarat, Gippsland, Sydney and Melbourne. Rain and wet tents sometimes offered challenges but our resilient Edward students and staff took that in their stride.

Trips now feature comfortable lodge/motel accommodation and catered meals.

A constant was the fabulous coach service provided by Husseys and later Purtills, together with wonderful accompanying drivers who were such an important part of the team.

Our past camping and present excursion program were and still are a vital part of the school experience and have no doubt provided many past Edward students with some of their fondest and enjoyable school memories.

The original school hall has seen many changes since its initial life as an open shelter shed, and later as the venue for school assemblies and many memorable production performances over the years.

The lasts refurbishment has seen it developed as ‘Wellbeing Hub’. It has a well-equipped kitchen, tables and seating and comfortable furniture. It is the venue our Indigenous Studies programs conducted by George Day and Narelle Labib, as well as Art and Music activities.