Year 6 Winton Tour - Days 4 to 8

Day 4 - Fire and Ice

A horn sounds in the distance.
The energy palpable.
The track seemingly endless.
Warriors approaching... 

Day three includes the Longreach Railway Station and a trip on the train to the Narr River, enjoying damper and tea. 

The Walker's - locals to the area who have been longstanding allies of those who adventure these parts. Invited to their ranch, a challenge was posed, who can wield the whistler of the outback, the whip! Arm outstretched, parallel to the ground and as fast as a stallion, it pummels towards the ground - faster than the speed of sound.

After team challenges and belly laughs ensued for the afternoon the warriors bonded with the locals, utilising their skills to wow them with their amazing Winton Performance.

Then at breaking pace the buses raced the sunset for the traditional campfire roasting sustenance. Bodies silhouetted the sky as the endless horizon reminded us all why we're here - the magic of the outback.

Frost covers the dry grass as the morning temperatures dip to feel like 5 degrees upon waking. Warriors warm quickly as they wake to tackle the day, for today, is pack down day.

The spatial reasoning to understand the Tetris of a duffel that appears to have shrunk has been the cognitive load of many on this active morning. The body weight, incrementally increasing each day with the impeccable catering, put to good use as the warriors utilise various kinesthetics to zip up the most stubborn of bags. 

The warriors have saddled up - onward they journey - we are Winton bound.

Meg Leach
Deputy Head of Junior School

Day 5 – Winton, we are here!

The coaches roll on, dust particles in the air in their wake. Small eyes peer through the windows, "we must be close," a small voice whispers. Then, the beaming rays through the window adjust, the dust begins to settle and it becomes clear - Winton, we are here!

In their short time here, the warriors have been beginning to understand the historical beasts that once roamed these vast and open spaces. The Dinosaur Museum a highlight for many, though a warrior must always stay on guard. 

Our warriors trek on, high above the landscape, hoping to envision the lush green earth that once was prehistoric Winton. 

All the warriors have been thriving in their new environment, water sources proving far superior to those prior and have proved valuable in beginning to eradicate the consistent stench following the group. We will miss you Longreach, but we will never miss your tents... we love you Barty's Place!

Meg Leach
Deputy Head of Junior School

Day 6 - The Legacy

To Waltz Matilda: To walk beside each other, through hardship, in mateship and with pride.

Steeped in tradition, warriors journey this track year-on-year to enact their College rite, the challenge of the Combo Waterhole. The drive, long. The toilets, drop. They walk on broken ground as they place each step with care. Scanning for predators in the grass, arming themselves with repellent, thick and strategically placed, the warriors trek on.

As they approach the precipice of the waterhole, they feel the pinching at the corners of their mouth, for this is the moment, this is the place where they can say - I saw it happen. The group forms a bunch, quieting as a leader speaks the stories or their history, of their traditions, the story of the swagman and the way these scripts have informed the verses they share to this day. Voices rise over dried lands, carrying with them, the message of mateship, the privilege of the presence, the question - Will you come a Waltzing Matilda with me? 

With a hushed audience, the air thickens, a single hat thrown upon the surface of the water. A moment of reverence for the journey they have taken, a moment of pride for the College they represent, and a moment of community, for they all stand as one today - Winton Warriors. 

This is the legacy of A.B. Paterson.

Meg Leach
Deputy Head of Junior School

Day 7 - Spirited

The galahs filled the powerlines above Barty's Place as the cohort's slumber ends abruptly to the sound of the Lion King at full volume - a usual practice that the warriors have become accustomed to at this late stage of their journey. The shock comes from the chill in the air, temperature plummeting over night to feel like zero degrees - oodies were abundant. 

No feet flurried this morning as a slow start was earnt by all. For today, was all about their new home, Winton. The convoy departed, sights set on the landmarks that make this great place unique - The QANTAS Sign, Musical Fence and Arno's Wall - some of the hot spots to explore, along with some local cultural sightings. 

The warriors, now locals in their own right, returned to base at Barty's and adorned their finest for the arrival of guests was imminent. Mr Gregory North, poetry extraordinaire was attending to perform for students from Winton State School and A.B. Paterson College alike. The time had come and a small cohort entered the courtyard, less than ten students making up the Grade 3-6 students visiting from Winton State School. Smiles adorned, they each introduced themselves on the microphone and it took some time to connect. Kids, running, playing, chatting and realising that location does not define character - connections and memories were made by all. 

Meg Leach
Deputy Head of Junior School

Day 8 - Honour

No birds sing this morning. The warriors sleep late. The air is still and silent. 

Leaders gather around a table, steam rising from the mugs as silence envelops the group. Reflective faces smile softly into the rising sun as the realisation adorns, it's pack-up day. Sleepy-eyed and shuffling, one-by-one, the warriors emerge from their slumber. Greeted by cocoa, the group is unusually hushed this morning, the departure, bittersweet. Today, the warriors begin their journey home. 

Groups gather, laughing and storytelling. Remembering the last night celebrations. Under the stars they enjoyed the cinema, Paper Planes, an Aussie classic teaching them about self-belief and mateship, something they have lived each day for the past week. 

As departure encroaches, the teamwork is evident in the flurry of action as the camp is packed down, left without a trace of their presence. A short time to capture the memories that are all that is left of the group in this space. 

The team took the time to acknowledge those behind the scenes that have made this camp so successful. The amazing catering team that has kept our team fed and watered, our drivers that guide so much more than the buses but advise, share stories, build relationships and make sure every participant feels seen, heard and supported. 

As chieftain of this group of warriors, it has been a privilege to share this journey alongside our warriors and leaders. To watch them overcome struggle, embrace change, dare to connect and above all else, do everything with honour. 

Meg Leach
Deputy Head of Junior School