2005

2005 was a great year but also a tragic year. The first BB trip to China was instigated. We were going there for 3 weeks, trekking, touring and participating in a home stay in Tianjin. In this town we were to attend the opening of an Australian exhibition hosted by the Lord Major of Melbourne, John So. Just after arriving in China, we were contacted on the train by Roger Wiggins and informed that Alice Sloan had died on the Snowy River when a tree landed on her tent. What should we do? We decided to continue the journey in her honour. We held a ceremony for Alice in a 2000 year old monastery, we trekked up Emi Shan and inscribed a lock with 'Keep smiling for Alice', which we locked onto the railing surrounding the summit. Back at school a very special service was held for Alice. It was a very emotional time and especially as a number of Alice's best friends were on the trip. To cheer everyone up, the girls put on a beautiful Father's Day breakfast for me. One of the amazing things to happen, was when we went for a bike ride, all of the bikes had Alice on the frame. 18 students in my SPE12 class! A record.

My girls in China.

The White Lion Hotel

Giant Panda - it's real!

Team China - Mel, Jane and Heather

The Great Wall

Miss Carruthers, centre back.

Sue Jones, Jill Vines, Agatha Panetta, Julie Carrington, Jill O'Keefe, Ray Swann

I stole Julie Carrington's MMY12 class for a photo!

Team Hamilton - Al, Bron and Sal