On Wednesday, 27 July, 2004, Year 5C and  Year 5 children from the composite class Year 4/5C from Rochedale State School went on an excursion to learn about Australia's Gold Rush Days.  Set up in bush behind Beenleigh, just south of Brisbane by Berrinbah East State School and run by a teacher from the school, the day is a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience first hand the gold rush days and conditions experienced by our early settlers. everyone learnt heaps and had a great day. Here's some photos.
We all lined up for the bus. The bus was late so we waited patiently.
Finally it arrived and we all put on our seat belts. Finally after a long trip and getting lost, we arrived!!
We set out following the horseman. He took us down the bush track.
Trooper Johnson arrived and asked if we'd seen a stranger. Suddenly a masked bushranger came riding down on us!!
We had some gold to hide from him!! But the bushranger sound found it and took it!!
Trooper Johnson came back and captured the bushranger. Soon we arrived in Rushton.
A horse was waiting to be shoed at the Saddlery. We all sat down while Trooper Johnson talked to us.
We learnt all the rules of the Goldrush. Captain Lucas tied up his horse.
There were plenty of signs around. Guess I was a butcher in an earlier life!!!
Time for a cup of billy tea while the children explored. This was the mine shaft.
Time for some tentmaking. Lucky the kids had homes to go to!!
First finished? Soon the kids got the hang of it.
This tent looks good. And so does this one!!
Then they had to pull it all down again!! Here's the assayer's tent.
Captain Lucas gave the children a talk about the assayer. Here's the cemetery.
Then it was off to the creek for some role playing. Trooper Johnson showed us how to pan for gold.
Then wome children had a go. Any gold there?
Good style with the pan!! This miner went off to drink some grog!!
Then it was time to make damper!! Put it in the camp ovens.
And cover it with hot coals. Then we did somne role plays at the general store.
This was followed by the bushranger mapping activity. This group found their bushranger.
Nugget took a shine to Mrs Chippendale!! Time for some sausages.
And here's our damper all cooked - yumm!! Then it was off to find some gold!!
Some children really hit gold!! Then they exchanged their cash for lollies!!
The more money you had, the more lollies you could buy!! Some children received their certifiactes.
Then Trooper Johnson showed us his whip cracking skills!! But Captain Lucas was better!!
He could do two on the horse!! And standing up too!!
Then Captain Lucas escaped!! And Trooper Johnson took off after him!!
What a great Day we had!!
 

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