Some of the most distinctive memories from school life for most students are their class camps. Hopefully, Class 6 will remember their wonderful trip to Fraser Island and all that they experienced and learnt there.
Camps provide students with increased self esteem, independence, resilience and social learning. Students become more actively engaged in their education when they have the opportunity to learn in the real-world context of a camp.
Class 6 participated in a wide variety of activities including horse riding, bush tucker walks, raft building, hiking, archery and sea kayaking as well as eco-tours and educational talks from the rangers. They visited Kingfisher Bay, Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Central Station, the Maheno Shipwreck and the coloured sands at the Cathedrals. One of the many highlights for them was seeing a pair of young dingoes stealing beach towels from tourists and running away with them through Eli Creek.
Since our return to school the students have created a camp book with recounts of each day. They have also written a report about Fraser Island based on all the things they saw, heard, experienced and learnt. Most of them have also completed either a persuasive essay or a discussion on whether Fraser Island should have its name changed back to K’gari. This was the original name given to the island by the Butchella people and it means paradise.
Here is an example of a short discussion piece written by Otto:
Mist and haze surrounds the debate on whether Fraser Island should be actually called K’gari. There are different viewpoints about this potential change. K’gari is the traditional name given by the Butchella people of the island. Our “white” name for K’gari is Fraser Island and it was given this name because of Eliza Fraser who was stranded on the island with her husband in the early 1800’s. Her husband died on the island and she was taken by the Butchella people.
When Eliza went back to England after being rescued she apparently made money by telling horrific stories about how the Butchella people treated her. So the press dubbed K’gari Fraser Island. Many believe that K’gari should not be named after the Fraser family because they did nothing for the island and maybe Eliza lied to get money. But maybe in Eliza’s eyes she really was treated badly by the Butchella and they killed her husband so she deserved the money.
Also, Fraser Island is known for tourism, so changing the name would affect this and the island may lose money.
So, all in all, whatever we call this beautiful island we need to protect it no matter what and care for it.