1969 School Magazine

travelled through the uopical forests. We maf- velled at this natural wonderland, which is revealed to only a few human beings who dare the unknown dangers of Fraser Island the bottomless lakes, crystalline streams paved u'ith remarkable emerald sand, inland deserts of sand where we taught an apprehensive Mrs. Middleton the aft of toboganning; rocky headlands, impres- sive wrecks and striking coloured sand formations. During our travels, we collected some interesting specimens, which included some giant mossess one of the largest species in the urorld. Some enterprising girls even succeeded in catching a larye rare flying mammal called the "Passion-fly" which we now believe is unique in Australia. All in all, our uip not only gave us the op- portunity of seeing a vast and beautiful panorama of natural phenomena but opened up new areas of experience for rrs. We aIl learnt new arts fot exarnple how to cook or how to fish, or how

3. Ward after long hlke

bodies and salvaged luggage stretched from under the kitchen table to the foot of the stairs. How did we all fit in? It is true that none of us adapted easily to this amphibian existence and its hardships certainly there wefe fegfets but these were short- lived when the sun fose in all its glory the next morning. Now we ate grateful for these exper- iences ^r those eventful nights are ones that are deeply etched in our memories as truly nights to r.tt^.-ber to look back and enjoy again and again to laugh at our petty grumbles and downcast faces. I cannot truthfully say we dedicated our- selves earnestly to biology of zoology as ouf wonderful sl.zrff members made sufe we could combine business with pleasure. \il/e learned a great deal, however, from the practical application 5f orrt theory to actual ecosystems in their natural state, rrrtto,rihed bV man. Silild-life_ experts from nearby Hervey Bay and the timbergetters in- suuctld us in tonseivation methods and identified the different varieties of trees ( and snakes ) as we

Clearrup day befcrre we left Fraser to really appreciate the various talents of Mrs. Middleton and Mrs. Specht our energetic leaders, who could fire us with . enthusiasm even when our tent-city came tumbling down around ouf feet or alternatively, enter into our revels on the beach under the fu|l moon. But bV ft the most important and most difficult arts we learned were those of tolerance and genefosity, necessary qualities if a group of people is to become moulded into ot. .ffi.i.nt, huppy band of com- rades who will participate in group. activities actively and .o-operate willingly in small domestic duties. Perhaps Fraser Island itself was really a dream come tfue - the closest thing to Paradise. And if you want to discover evetything that happened when the Grammar Girls returned to nature on the uncivilized side of Fras€r Island, you must go and ask the sleepy-eyed brumbies, the timid dingoes and the tribal ghosts of the gentle people who loved it long before we did - Yourself ! -,,MAc,, (vIB)

W. McCaIIum investlgating fresh water sprlng

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