We woke up to a familiar sight at an unfamiliar time for Bakersfield residents – very cold temperatures and fog. A few students saw kangaroos roaming the grounds of the hotel. We saw many hopping away up the hills as we made our way to the Australian War Memorial. At the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, delegates were asked to place red poppies on this sacred place. Students learned about the battle at Gallipoli during World War I and the Japanese bombing of Darwin during World War II. As Britain was concentrating its efforts in Europe, Australia turned to the United States for assistance. Today, the U.S. is Australia’s closest military ally. Interesting fact – Darwin was bombed approximately at the same time as Pearl Harbor, but because of the International Date Line, this event appears in the history books as a day earlier.
Next we went to Gold Creek Sheep Station where we were met by a flock of sheep and a couple of cute Kelpie dogs. Ned and Digger excitedly welcomed the delegation. The dogs went through their paces – including walking across the backs of the sheep! Delegates helped Digger celebrate his first birthday!Viktor is quite the sheep wrangler. Under the skillful direction of the station owner, he wrestled a sheep to the ground. Other delegates had their photos taken with the sheep. Thanks, Viktor!
Boomerangs were then tested. It’s harder than it looks to make them fly through the air and return to you. Jose, you’re awesome! I’m writing this blog on the drive back to Sydney for our evening flight to Darwin. It will be interesting to go from 29 degrees this morning to 86 degrees tomorrow. Each morning on the bus, we begin the day with our Program Song, T-Shirt Weather. How appropriate for Darwin.
Jacqui, Karla, Ron, Kathy
The Leaders
Ben, our Delegation Manager
Jack, the Delegation Mascot getting ready for his flight to Darwin
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