Wednesday, 25 November

Wow, what a day! The boys returned from solo in the morning, most of the boys enjoyed it much more than they thought they would. We all set off to Coomba Falls for abseiling and a swim. The abseiling was tough at first but with a little encouragement everyone gave it a go. The wall was 18 metres. Tomorrow is Binga Challenge which is going to be great and will be one of the highlights of the last week of Binga.

Christiaan, Jacob H and Tom S.

Tuesday, 24 November

This morning the girls returned from their solo camp nice and early as the boys were preparing for theirs. The girls went on their first proper horse riding trail ride and also finalised the 9D Mt Binga T-shirts. We got to successfully complete our 9D compost bay. Miss Von Berky had to go out especially for two of the boys who had left their campout food behind.

Tanya, Kate and Genevieve

Version 2 Monday 23 November

Hello everyone back home, hope you're all having loads of fun back home without us.

Early this morning the girls set out for a lone adventure into the world of solos while us boys back at camp saddled up our horses and began our last horse riding session for the camp.

With our horses saddled up and ready to go, the boys set out on an adventure into the vast bush scrub that surrounds the camp. While some may have been intimidated by the large animal carrying them, we persevered and came out the other end, happy and proud with the achievement we just made.

After horse riding, the boys tore into their lunch, leaving nothing uneaten. Full and ready, we gathered in the quadrangle. Separated into groups and assigned to a job and a teacher to work with. Some students drove large block splitters into wood, others cleaned out the chook pen and the lucky ones got to work on the compost bay our class is building.

Overall it was a great day and the boys had a load of fun. There were some tough times throughout the day but we all prevailed.

Jacob, Nic and Andrew

Monday, 23 November

Greetings fellow earthlings, hope you're having fun in the normal world.

By the time all the girls had gone out on their solos the guys had already started their last horse riding session.

On the horse ride the guys went on through vicious fighting bush scrub and wild trees. After the amazing battle all the guys were forced to do some hard project work, cutting wood, cleaning the chook pen and making another compost bay to finish Faith's 2009 contribution to the vegie garden.

Jacob, Nic and Andrew

Sunday, 22 November

Today was a very hot day, while people were finishing off their washing, the rest were enjoying their free time. As it was very hot and most of us were out in the sun, Mr Greiger treated us by bringing out the sprinkler. Most of us went to get wet. To make things more fun we brought a tarp out and made it really wet and started sliding down it. Today was a fun and exciting day.

Emily, Mikayla and Nic.

Saturday, 21 November

Today we started off the day with a Saturday cleanup. The rest of the day was spent relaxing after a fun but challenging week. We also had time to write letters and wash clothes. Overall, it was a very relaxing day.

Jess, Rick and Michael

Friday, 20 November

Today the boys started off with saddling up their horses and getting ready to ride. In pairs they chose who was riding first and who was riding second. After a 15 minute break the first group of riders headed off while the second group of riders did wood chopping and gardening.

After morning tea the second group of riders went off while the first group did the same jobs. After riding around the circuit we finished off with a trail ride through the bush.

The girls started off the day getting introduced to the low ropes and then going around the circuit. After low ropes the girls had to face Adrian's wall but managed to get everyone over quickly.

Ashley, Taylor and Thomas

Thursday, 19 November

Today the girls went on their trail ride while the boys did the low ropes course and project work. The trail ride was a new experience for most of the girls and they had a great time. The boys also had a great experience and although it was a challenge as some of us struggled, in the end we all worked together as a team.

Sean, Thomas and Letitia

Wednesday, 18 November

Today the girls went abseiling and rock climbing. A few fears were overcome and over all it was largely enjoyed by everyone. Also the boys went for a refreshing swim at Coomba Falls after returning home this morning from survival.

Kate, Tom S and Nic C

Tuesday, 17 November

Yesterday was survival for the girls. We all built rather stable shelters out of sticks and tarps. The fire to make our dinner was lit nice and early. Dinner was sausages and damper that was actually quite filling. A shower of rain fell over us so we all went into out communal area which was also made using a tarp. After the rain had passed we all went and had an early night.

Early the next morning we were told that survival for us was over due to the weather and that the boys were to come out for their survival. Mr H and Miss D took the girls to Coomba Falls and Bunya Mountains. We had a very good time and enjoyed the troopie ride. At the moment the boys are on their survival and have already been through heavy rain and hail.

Emily, Tanya and Mikayla

Monday, 16 November

Today the boys started off on the abseiling activity. Most of us accomplished the goal of climbing and abseiling the 8 metre rock face. Everyone found it challenging but most of us felt nervous when we were about to clip the ropes onto our harnesses. Only a few people decided not to participate because they were feeling sick in the stomach.

Today the girls set off on their survival which will go for three days. It will be hard for them as the forecast for the weather is rain with a slight chance of a thunderstorm. The girls will have to show confidence and use a lot of teamwork.

Jacob H., Christiaan and Thomas

Family Day

Today was Family Day. The day was filled with happiness, excitement, grief and mixed nerves as we all waited early for our families to arrive. Our worship commenced at 11am. The theme was perseverance as it has played a major role throughout the Binga experience. The worship ran smoothly with an interesting message from Mr Grieger. As the worship finished, everyone ran back to their parents (and the junk food) and everyone got their picnic blankets out under a nice shady tree. Everyone was sharing lollies, chips, chocolate, soft drink and you name it!

We didn't think it would ever end. With so many stories to tell and lots of catching up to do, time flew by. Cricket, Football, even Chess was played throughout the day, along with a tour of the Mt Binga campus. Many parents and siblings were interested to see what we had been doing over the past two weeks and some were also surprised to see the size of Otis and were interested in the other animals. All of a sudden it hit 4pm and it was time for families to leave. While this brought sadness to see everyone's families leave, it also brought excitement for what was to come over the next two weeks.

Mieka, Nick K. and Gen

Preparation for Family Day

Today the class of 9D prepared worship for Family Day. After that the class split into two different groups. One did washing, played cards and sport and wrote letters while the other group went out and did wood chopping, mowing, project work and then made dirt roads.

Ashley, Rick and Michael

Friday, 13 November

As usual we kicked off with a morning devotion, then moved onto the morning jobs. After a tasty breakfast, we began to prepare for Family Day on Sunday. We completed the day with washing clothes and project work, which included lawn mowing, wood chopping and filling holes in the dirt tracks.

Sean, Arron and Jess

3 Day Hike

Today we got back from our three day hike and all of us were exhausted. The boys started it off with a 7km walk to their first campsite. It was nice and sunny when they got there but after a couple of hours it started pouring down rain and they were all in their tents. After a bad night's sleep they were off again to their next campsite. It was only a 2.5km walk but it still took a long time as the navigators had no idea where they were going. When they got there Mr W and Mr H told them they were doing duo and that they were not allowed communication with any other pairs. After a very boring afternoon and a long sleep they were off again for a 5.5km walk back to Binga.

The girls started off to a great start until the boys caught up singing their chants. We parted from the boys and continued on with our hike. The first night was good apart from the toilet paper was left out during the night meaning we had none left. As we walked to our next campsite Kate fell over and split her stitches. The second day was duo and it was silence between all the groups. There wasn't much to do and we didn't have a group fire. With an early start to the morning, we packed up and left for Binga. With the many hills the girls were challenged but we all got there in the end feeling good.

Emily, Taylor and Nic

Rewards!

Today was our second horse riding lesson which was widely anticipated throughout the group. It was very enjoyable for everyone. The lawn mowers were also introduced as we had to prepare for Family Day.

We were congratulated with our long awaited Mars Bars because of our fantastic work with the horses.

Kate, Thomas and Jacob C

Sunday, 8 November 2009

Today was just another day of rest after a busy week. We started the day at 7am except for Parker cabin who earnt not only a sleep in but a day free of jobs. Today was our last day to relax and prepare for our big 3 day hike leaving tomorrow. With a few of the instructors still out fighting the fire,they needed our full cooperation. Some students either finished any last minute washing, played card games or cricket on the oval while others just read books, wrote letters or simply relaxed.

Mieka, Letitia, Tanya, Tom S.

Saturday, 7 November 2009

Today was our first relaxing day where we had free time and got to do our washing for the week. We were happy to hear that we had an extra hour to sleep in. Everyone appreciated this time to finally lay back and write letters to family and friends. While a couple of staff members ran off to help put out a fire down the road, many games were played throughout the day including chess, uno, spades and poker. Overall everyone enjoyed the chance to relax.

Jess, Nick K and Tom R

Friday, 6 November 2009

We started the day off with a foggy assembly, moved onto the morning jobs and then had breakfast. Low ropes got cancelled due to heavy rain and a blackout last night so we did more initiative games.

After work we had a little bit of morning tea then back to the games. We had lunch and went off to the rotations for the afternoon. Activities included rope tying, sock hockey, baking and designing the Mt Binga t-shirt.

We had afternoon tea and got onto the afternoon jobs then had tacos for dinner. That was followed by dessert. After that we received our mail and played a game.

Sean, Emily and Arron

Day 4

Students in 9D had a very exciting day at Mt Binga camp. We started off with horse riding, getting told how to ride and saddle up a horse. After the exciting horse experience, we moved onto project work which included things such as baking biscuits and making delicious bread. We all got in and got the job done.

Last night students received mail from their loved ones. Some of the 9D students were touched by their letters. Tomorrow morning 9D will start on low ropes which will probably be the highlight of the day.

Genevieve, Rick and Jacob H.

Day 3

Yesterday we did navigational skills and initiative games. After that the girls and boys set off in separate groups into the bush for our first evening campout of our 2009 Mt Binga experience.

On the way out to campout the students were blindfolded, driven out by a couple of troopies and dumped in the middle of nowhere. We then had to sleep out there and hike back. Lucky it was only 3 kilometres.

Today after we arrived back at home base, we had an introductory class to the horses. We learnt a number of valuable things, including how to handle horses and how to communicate with them. The last activity was an orienteering competition where we had to find markers placed all around the Mt Binga campus. The competition was very challenging but we had a lot of fun.

Kate, Christiaan and Michael

Day 1

Today we got on the bus and said goodbye to all our families just to get to the middle of nowhere. On the bus trip Taylor started blowing his nose and continued until Sean felt sick.

After we got off the bus everyone was grateful to get their feet back on ground. Soon we all were given jobs for the afternoon. Mikayla thought the chickens were going to eat her and Letitia said she was scared of wood and fire!

Letitia, Jacob and Taylor

4 November 2009 - 9D Mt Binga

9D Trip to Mount Binga

After months of anticipation and seeing all their friends go off on their Mt Binga adventures, the moment for 9D to venture into the unknown had arrived. Arriving to school on a fine and sunny morning, the students packed their luggage on the bus, were joined by their parents in a motivating devotion led by Mr Pope, said their tearful goodbyes and jumped onto the bus to begin their trip west. Any feelings of anxiety were quickly taken away as the laughs began on the bus, assisted by the never-ending supply of lollies handed out by Mieka.

Following an hour and a half of boisterous travelling, we stopped off at the picturesque Wivenhoe Dam for a morning tea consisting of the last junk food that 9D would eat for two weeks. Students enjoyed kicking a footy, climbing on the playground and chilling out in the sun. Before we knew it, we were off again, excited about being on the final leg of our trip.

After many terrible songs, cries of ‘are we there yet’, and more lollies, we had finally arrived at Mt Binga. There to greet us were two cows, a huge bull and several horses. Students knew that their time as farmers had begun. All that was left to do was unpack the bus, be allocated to cabins and meet in the courtyard, where the students were met by the leaders. Following a short introduction, students were taught the Binga grace, where they received a mark of seven out of ten; an impressive grade for a first time. After this, students went off to make sandwiches for their lunches.

This is where Sarah Day and I left the gang, confident that they would be extremely successful as a group, and hoping that their adventures would be full of fun, self-empowerment and character building. I look forward to visiting them on Family Day on the 15th.

Mr Rosenblatt

29 October 2009

Today has been one of the best days of our entire stay here at Mt Binga.

Today has been the Mt Binga Challenge day.

We all had a really good time.

There wasn't one main highlight, as it was all one big highlight.

In the end, Schultz won, with parker coming 2nd, Richter 3rd and Greasley 4th, but one thing is for sure, everyone will sleep soundly tonight!

Lachlan

Nelson

Matt D

28 October 2009

Today we went to Cooma Falls.

The rock face was 18m high.

After our abseiling, we went swimming in the Cooma Falls waterhole.

Ww saw goats on the cliff and turtles in the water.

Tomorrow is the Mt Binga Challenge....and the suspense is killing us!

Greasley went for their trail ride today and they all enjoyed their last horse rided.

That is the update from Mt Binga.

Alex

Kaytlin

Bonny

28 October 2009

All the girls arrived back from their Solo Camp today.

After a few peaceful hours on their Solo, the girls were sadly pulled into the Emu Creek hall due to heavy rainfall. We all spent the night rugged up together and were very grateful that we were out of the rain.

The boys are out on their Solo at the moment.

We are all hoping for fine weather, as we are heading to Cooma Falls for an adventure filled day.

We are all willing to conquer the 18 metre abseiling cliff, and at the end of our abseiling, have a relaxing swim in the water hole.

We are having 'gourmet' hotdogs for dinner!

Everyone is upset that our camp is coming to an end.

Nicole

Julia

Bridget

27 October 2009

Today as the girls were out on their Solo Camps, the boys got to go horse riding and then did a couple of jobs.

As we were doing horse riding, we got to go for a 60 minute trail ride which was lots of fun for everyone. While the first couple of people went riding the other boys did jobs like wood chopping and baking the hotdog rolls for our dinner tonight.

At around 2pm a huge thunderstorm with really heavy rain came to Mt Binga. The rain was really needed and Mr and Mrs Grieger were really happy about the rain.

Tomorrow the boys are going out on their Solo's and people are getting their gear ready to go in the morning.

Sam

Jackson

Matt G

25 October 2009

Another lazy Sunday at Mt Binga and the last of those for 9C.

Outward relaxation betrays inward jolts of excitement for the trip home next Friday.....and our massive clean up!

In any event, we are all chilled out and have had a lot of fun....with laughter at and with each other.

The girls had fun with the make up they should not have brought...using the boys as mannequins.

After a bout of laughing and face washing for the victims, we were left to enjoy our last Sunday at Mt Binga along with all of it's simple pleasures that include a barbecue...thanks Mr Grieger!

Amy

Matt P

Orin

24 October 2009

Today has just been a nice and relaxing day. The majority of us have been playing cards or Ping Pong, reading and throwing the Vortex. There was a big scramble to see who could get their washing done today because it has been forecast to rain for the next few days.

Every now and then we from the Quad, we can see storm clouds slowly taking over the sky and it is making the people with their clothes on the line a little nervous.

Although there is an up side....it is horribly dry up here and the rain is much needed to help our water supplies and grazing lands.

As it is the start of the last week, we have all realised how fast it has gone and how much we will miss this place when we go.

Chloe

Lachlan

Tim

23 October 2009

Today we did abseiling and rock climbing on an 8 metre cliff and a lot of people were out of their comfort zone.

Everyone had a great time and it was a challenging but fun day.

Next week we go to Cooma Falls to face an 18 metre abseil....some people are scared and some people are excited about this event.

Upon returning to camp, we found that Barney the horse had opened the gate and got in to a new place and people were amazed that Barney knew how to open gates.

Sam

Nelson

Ellen

23 October 2009

The boys have been out on their Survival campout.

It was tricky because they needed to build their own tent, but it didn't turn out as it was intended.

After all that, the Survival turned out well and was a fun experience.

The girls had a quiet and relaxing night without the boys.

The girls have been on a trail ride.

The boys went to The Palms for a walk where a bat pooped on Orin and Joel took a photo of every single tree!

Phoebe

Kaytlin

Matt D

23 October 2009

Mrs Grech drops in on 9C at Mt Binga
When I arrived, 9C was right in the swing of completing their daily duties. Many of the boys helped clean up the breakfast area before they departed to The Palms. I have been told watch out for the bats!!!

The girls were hard at work chopping wood for the fires and stacking the hay for the cows and horses. I think the girls’ efforts and quickness to complete their tasks would have definitely given the boys a run for their money.

The girls looked like they were mastering their horse riding skills and were grateful to go on a short trail ride.

The quick hustle and bustle of Binga life finally slowed down at lunch. It was great to see every one relaxed and sharing their stories over lunch. Apparently during the girls Survival camp, the Greasley girls had a gate crasher, a pademelon kept trying to jump into their tent. The Richter girls were given an early wakeup call by some very vocal Koalas.
During the boys Survival camp, Matt Duthie found the remains of a kangaroo foot. Some of the hazards on camp voiced by the boys: watch out for the man made swings, Joel learnt the hard way and of course the burnt cooking (tacos) strongly advocated by the Shultz cabin.

When the rosters came out there was a mad rush to see who was allocated what. To Lachlan’s dismay he discovered he had 3 duties.

It was great to see that Bonny had taken up my advice and there have been no more scrapes (hee hee hee).

Alas, it was time to say farewell to 9C who loaded me down with letters for people back at school. 9C says thanks for the encouragement , sorry some of us have been slack and please send more letters.

21 October 2009

The girls Survival camp went well despite being woken up by angry koalas and crazy possums.

Our cooking talents were put to the test and Greasley is proud of their cake that they invented.

Richter made enough cupcakes to feed a small European country for 5 days!

It is very quiet without the boys but the peace is appreciated.

Nicole

Meghan

Amy

20 October 2009

Todays adventures included making the best Duty Fire.

Today the boys improved a great deal in their horse riding skills and were able to go on a nice, peaceful trail ride.

We are all now regular Horsemen!

The girls left for their Survival today.

Most of the boys are finding it tough, but some are coping with the 'peace and quiet'!

Guys go on Survival tomorrow and most of us are looking forward to it.

The boys are planning to have a poker tournament tonight, using cardboard boxes as chips.

Lachlan

Joel

Jackson

19 October 2009

We all enjoyed Family Day yesterday, although some of us ate too much!!

The worship prepared by us went according to plan.

It was hard to say goodbye at the end.

Tomorrow the girls go on Survival and the boys are doing horse riding.

The boys go on Survival on Wednesday.

Today we did the preparation for abseiling and we also did project work.

Hopefully we will all do well on Survival.

Bridget

Ashleigh

Jack

18 October 2009

Today was Family Day.

Everyone enjoyed stuffing their faces with yummy food and we were very excited to see our families.

Everyone was very sad when their families had to leave.

We are all extremely excitied about our Survival Camps in the coming week.

Tim

Nelson

Chloe