Schools combine for a step back in time

Ample educational opportunities exist that offer unique historical experiences for young people, teaching them about the Australian past and how it has shaped today’s nation.

But accessing these sort of opportunities is not always easy, especially for country schools with small student populations.

Undeterred, Conargo, Blighty, Bunnaloo and Mayrung Public Schools have joined forces to establish its ongoing excursion program, which runs under the banner of the ‘Combined Small Schools’.

Through this initiative, and combined with valuable financial support from Murray Irrigation and SunRice, the schools have been able to bring the past to life for pupils hungry for history.

In September last year, 26 students from Years 3/4 participated in the Combined Small Schools annual Sovereign Hill Camp, enjoying the experience of their young lives.

While the key destination was Ballarat’s nationally acclaimed tourist attraction, Sovereign Hill, the three-day excursion provided a myriad of benefits to captivate these young minds.

The experience also provided students the chance to build friendship connections in what, for many, was a unique social experience.

Conargo Public School’s Acting Principal Kylie Charlton, who helps organise this annual excursion, describes it is a camp of “firsts”.

“For some, it is their first time away from home, and the first time ordering their own meals when they go out to a restaurant for dinner on the first night,” Mrs Charlton said.

“While the excursion is an important part of our curriculum, it’s more than that.”

From a historical perspective, the students learned about the importance of the gold rush, which ties into their studies of Australian history.

Set on a 25-hectare site, Sovereign Hill depicts Ballarat in the 1850s. Historically recreated buildings line the streets, with costumed staff and volunteers on hand to answer questions and pose for photos.

With antiques, artwork, machinery, livestock and animals, carriages and devices all appropriate to the era to pore over, the young visitors were provided a fascinating look back at what life was like in Australia nearly two centuries ago.

Mrs Charlton said the students were able to explore what life was like “during the olden days”, as well as discover the full process of gold mining and the impact the Eureka Stockade had on Australian history.

The multi-sensory AURA Night Show proved a huge hit, with a 3D movie exploring the story of gold followed by spectacular sound and light show.

“Students also loved having a Cobb and Co ride, making their own candles and watching real gold being poured,” Mrs Charlton said.

“They were very engaged and asked lots of great questions, deepening their understanding of Australian history.”

Away from Sovereign Hill, there were other sights and experiences to savour.

On the way to Ballarat, the students enjoyed a stopover at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, a marvellous showcase of Chinese culture featuring wonderful dragons, 18th century processional regalia, Chinese currency exhibits and peaceful gardens.

The return journey incorporated an underground tour of the Central Deborah Gold Mine at Bendigo, where the students explored the hidden underground tunnels of a real gold mine that operated during the gold rush boom of the 1900s.

This experience enabled students to discover what conditions as a miner were really like during the harsh gold rush era, as well as explore the surface of the mine with its treasure trove of mining equipment, and step inside heritage-listed buildings which were once essential to the mine’s operation.

“The conditions the miners had to work in was a real eye-opener for our students,” Mrs Charlton said.

Overall, this and other excursions organised by the Combined Small Schools have been an integral part of the schools’ program for more than 30 years, providing students powerful learning experiences and opportunities to build new friendships.

The Combined Small Schools work collaboratively across their educational programs to ensure that while their student numbers may not be high, there is opportunity and access to extra-curricular activities.

“Our student connections are also strengthened during the combined sports day and other events, Mrs Charlton explained.

“They ensure our students are provided the opportunities that larger schools have while maintaining the tailored and close-knit environment that makes small schools great.”

While the Sovereign Hill excursion was a highlight in 2025, there are also exciting times ahead in 2026.

This year, the Combined Small Schools will coordinate a Year 3/4 camp to Beechworth, focusing on the history of Ned Kelly, while the Year 5/6 students will enjoy an excursion to the national capital, Canberra. While there, they will visit a number of key attractions including Parliament House and the War Memorial.

The younger Kindergarten to Year 2 students won’t miss out either, each year participating on a day excursion.

Mrs Charlton says combined events such as camps and excursions provide amazing learning and social interaction for students.

“Support from community organisations such as Murray Irrigation and SunRice enables us to reduce the cost of these events, which is continually increasing.

“We are extremely grateful that the importance of educational excursions for our students is recognised with the financial support provided to make them affordable.”

Murray Irrigation’s annual sponsorship program is made possible through the support of its customers.