Last weekend 10 students took part in a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Qualifying Camp in Springbrook National Park. They were taking part in their final Adventurous Journey Expedition as part of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Scheme. This was the final camp of the year which included 4 Bronze Award Camps, 2 Silver Award Camps and 2 Gold Award Camps. Eight in total and doubling the usual number of DOE camps arranged during the College’s academic calendar year.

An important component of the camp experience was that students were required to plan the equipment needed, cook their own nutritional meals, and navigate their way through several National Park locations. The highlights for the group whilst exploring the Springbrook National Park were the numerous spectacular natural formations. For example, the rich and diverse ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear creeks, tall open forests, and expansive views from notable high points.

Destinations included the Waterfall track, Pages Pinnacle, Hinze Dam, Numinbah Conservation Area and Mount Zimbas.

The students involved were Ruvindu Siriwardana, Rose D’Alisa, Byron McNiven, Seeret Arora, John Ziukelis, Naaz Kaur, Mitchell Chen, Matilda Grant, Addison Selby and Sam Brookes. This was the largest group of Gold Award students to take part in one DOE camp. A reflection of how the successful the program has become at A.B. Paterson College under the guidance of Andrew Sole, Head of Outdoor Education over the last 10 years.

The weather for the camp was very challenging with hot humid days and storm activity in the afternoons. The terrain included climbing over rocks and boulder filled riverbeds, to thick dense rainforest to open rocky paths skirting high rocky outcrops. They saw many of the native forest creatures, sometimes too close with leeches and ticks being a constant threat to ankles and feet! The record in one day for leeches was held by Byron with seven!

For some of the students involved, the camp was the last component of the Gold Award to be completed. Over 12 months of commitment and dedication has seen them complete Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skill activities together with a 5-day Residential Project and of course 2 Adventurous Journay Camps. Their hard work will see fruition in 2026 with a special award ceremony at Brisbane Town Hall where they will receive their Award certificates and badges from the Mayor of Brisbane.

Andrew Sole | Head of Outdoor Education