With the expedition so very close to finishing, we would love your feedback via our teacher and student surveys.
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By Andrew
The weariness that usually builds up over a journey of a week or a month faded with the anticipation. Rat arrived with deckhand Ben at 10am to load the first half of our team onto his boat Aristocat. It's our last full day together as a group and in many ways the last of the expedition. After a land based week with strong winds our window to reach Albatross Island had finally opened. Emma, Sam, Callan, Cate, Olivia and Sebie swung down the ladder like veteran salty sea dogs and disappeared with a roar of the engines. The rest of us helped John unload his delivery of fuel and gas bottles or fished from the jetty.
The roar returned and deposited group one back on dry land with tales of dolphins and giant birds. Our turn! Ruby Kate, Alastair, Layah, Paul and me buckled our life jackets and held on tight. Around Cape Keraudren, beyond Dangerous Banks and dead ahead was out target, Albatross Island. Ruby, Kate and Layah deliberately jumped as the boat crested the swell, sending their stomachs into a deeper freefall. Rat powered down and we idled near a group of shy albatross. They preened and bobbed near the boat causing Layah in particular to have a minor meltdown with excitement. This trickled down to Ruby next and infected the whole boat, Rat and Ben perhaps less than us newcomers. Nudging under the conglomerate cliffs we saw the birds perched on the most unlikely ledges and wondered if the pairs stayed together when out to sea on their wanderings? Returning via Dangerous Banks, and pleased to have engines on the back, we skipped across Hope Channel for the last time. In the afternoon Alastair inspected his pitfall traps for sand science and other nocturnal beach victims. They were made from burying plastic cups down to the lip level and filled with a dash of sea water to prevent escape. These traps were placed every 2 metres from the high tide line to the back of the beach. The specimens collected will be part of a nationwide Australian Museum project to document the sand hoppers of Australia and New Zealand. And with that last dash of science we close the student expedition. I'll paddle home to Hellyer Beach with a bit of luck tomorrow and write a final report then. For now it's over to the students for their say.
By Layah
No matter how much I tell you how amazing this trip has been and how much I have enjoyed absolutely everything about it, it will never be same as the experience itself. Learning about the animals and plants, being part of scientific research and engaging with nature for the week has been incredible. And how many times will I get to see live Shy Albatross in one of their three nesting places in the world? At first I thought cool, let's do some bird watching and sand digging. But every day I have been amazed and inspired by our daily sojourns, how much fun we had and how many amazing friends I made.
By Cate
I will always remember when I first saw the albatross and I looked up and said, 'That's a really big bird, I had no idea that albatross were so large!
By Olivia
The things about this trip that I'll never forget is the friendships that have developed, and the memories that will come with them. The main thing I will take away is that you should take on every challenge you possibly can. I did this when rock climbing along the coastline of Three Hummock Island. Believe me, my heart was pounding for the whole 500 metre stretch of coastline we traversed.
By Paul and Sam
G'day Paul and Sam here, the Rosny College media students that were fortunate enough to be selected to document this expedition. The week has been filled with adventures, laughs and whole lot of porridge. The islands flora and fauna provide a stunning backdrop to this experience and to have captured these moments on film had been a privilege. A huge thanks to Andrew, Alastair (the incredible fountain of knowledge), Emma and our special new group of friends.
By Sebie
In collaboration with the Bookend Trust, Expedition Class took nine students to explore and research fauna and flora on Three Hummock Island. The activities ranged from finding fresh water crayfish to the search for the Shy Albatross. Students were taken care of by five people including the two local residents, John and Beverly O'Brien. They all provided expert knowledge in their respective fields. I wholeheartedly encourage students interested in- or even just curious about- fields relating to biology, environmental studies or marine science to experience it with Expedition Class.
By Kate
Coming on this trip has been one of the happiest and most enjoyable I've had. I've learned so much about the environment and all the creatures that live there - crayfish, sand hoppers, Cape Barren Geese and many other birds. Especially the Shy Albatross! I'm going to miss everyone so much and a massive thanks to our amazing and informative Alastair, Andrew for making it happen and Emma for being downright lovely. Also eels are very slimy and don't bother going fishing!
By Ruby
This expedition has been a life changer! Summing it up in a paragraph is impossible so I'll do it in words. Wild, picturesque, information, learn, beautiful, fishing, trekking, dunes, beaches, birds, burrowing crayfish, cliffs, bush forest, brilliant, breathtaking, priceless, crazy, transect, biology, Kate, Sebie, Andrew, Cate, Callan, Layah, Sam, Paul, Emma, Alastair and last but not least the majestic Shy Albatross.
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