NEWS
A GREAT TEST OF TEAMWORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY
SEA KAYAKING IN THE
WHITSUNDAYS
Towards the end of Term 3 , the 10 students and three staff involved in the 2024 Year 10 Sea Kayaking Program arrived at Melbourne ’ s Tullamarine Airport to catch an early flight to Airlie Beach , prepared to begin an expedition around one of Queensland ’ s most pristine and iconic attractions , the Whitsunday Islands .
With camping at locations such as Whitehaven Beach , regarded as one of the best beaches in the world and notable for its powder-like sand , the trip was set to be a worthwhile experience and an opportunity to put some of the skills we have been honing to the test . Leading up to the expedition , Wednesday afternoons were regularly spent learning basic skills to complete this journey . This included learning how to handle and store food in the kayaks , managing rubbish and packing kayaks , while putting some kayaking skills into practice on the Yarra River .
We spent five days paddling around the glassy waters of the Whitsundays , but despite seeming like an easygoing trip , it was far from that . Boys and staff were required to be self-sufficient for the duration of the trip , bringing all the food and water necessary for the five days while ensuring that it remained edible after being soaked in a steaming hot kayak .
Some uncharacteristic conditions meant that choppy waves and strong winds were endured on the first day , and three 4am mornings meant we fell into bed each night very tired . This trip left both boys and staff with some great memories and highlighted the importance of teamwork as well as self-organisation .
Many thanks to Mr Evans , Mr Taylor and Rohan Klopfer for their support and organisation of this trip .
ETHAN HILHORST – YEAR 10
COUNTRY MUSIC ACCOLADE TO SCOTCH ’ S MICHAEL WAUGH
The fifth album produced by Scotch ’ s Head of Lawson House , Michael Waugh – Beauty and Truth – was awarded ‘ Contemporary Album of the Year ’, at the Australian Folk Music Awards , held in Melbourne on 23 October . The award recognises an outstanding album of contemporary folk music played in any folk music genre . Released in June , Beauty and Truth debuted at number one on the ARIA Australian Country Album charts .
Michael is a country music singer and songwriter who began writing songs at the tender age of 13 . He has performed in musical theatre and studied at the Melba Conservatorium . His debut album , What we Might Be , was released in February 2016 , and a second album followed in 2018 . His third album , The Weir , released in September 2019 , was nominated for two awards at the 2020
MICHAEL WAUGH
Country Music Association of Australia ’ s Golden Guitar Awards . His fourth album was released in August 2021 .
At Scotch , as well as his duties as Head of Lawson House , Michael is closely involved with Drama . This year he was the Director and Designer of the Years 11 and 12 musical , Urinetown , and he also taught VCE Drama .
Michael ’ s singing and storytelling were also a most entertaining feature of the Class of 2024 ’ s Valedictory Dinner on 22 October .
48 Great Scot Issue 172 – Edition 2 2024