Moonbah

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Buriga and Miribi Explore the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre

Buriga and Miribi students boarded the buses to Cooma for an exciting visit to the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre. After enjoying morning tea, they moved into a large cinema room, where our knowledgeable guides, Felicity and Colin, introduced an interactive map of the Snowy Hydro Scheme. The map provided students with a clear visual representation of the scheme’s vast scale, highlighting the tunnels, roads, transmission lines, dams and power stations that form this impressive renewable energy system. Through this, students gained a deeper understanding of how the Snowy Hydro Scheme integrates with the national electricity grid, helping to meet peak demand and support other renewable energy sources.

Following this, students watched a documentary that expanded their knowledge of hydro power generation. The film also explored the social impact of the scheme’s construction, particularly the positive influence of multiculturalism in Cooma and its surrounding communities. Next, students engaged with the Discovery Centre’s interactive exhibits, searching for key knowledge points among historical artefacts and infographics. This hands-on approach helped reinforce their understanding of the scheme’s significance in Australia’s energy landscape.

To further connect their excursion with their ELP renewable energy unit, students participated in a practical activity – constructing their own turbines and testing them outdoors using buckets of water. This hands-on experiment solidified their learning, deepening their appreciation of hydroelectric power and renewable energy concepts.

After a morning of discovery and exploration, students had the opportunity to enjoy lunch in Cooma. Many took advantage of the chance to try food options not available at Moonbah, with fast-food proving to be a popular choice! Following a relaxed and enjoyable lunch break, students boarded the buses for the return journey to campus, taking in the scenic landscapes along the Snowy Monaro Highway.

Later that afternoon, students eagerly shared their experiences with parents and carers during Connection Time, reflecting on their key takeaways from the excursion. We look forward to taking the other two classes to the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre soon!

Official Opening of the Moonbah Program and the High Country Campus Expansion

We are delighted to be celebrating the official opening of the Moonbah program and the expansion of the High Country Campus this coming weekend. This event is an opportunity to celebrate this unique program, acknowledging the dedication of our students, staff and the wider community in developing this transformative educational experience for students. It will be a special occasion at HCC with Board Directors, Executive, local Council members and other dignitaries all in attendance.

The Foundation of the High Country Campus

The vision for the High Country Campus (HCC) began in 1983 with the formation of the HCC Committee. In 1989, a significant milestone was reached when land was purchased and subsequently donated to Redlands by The Redlands Association and parents in 1990. By March of that year, the Board had requested a Master Plan for the site, and by November, a tender was submitted for the Jindabyne property, contingent on a donation from The Redlands Association. By Christmas 1990, what was once a dream became a reality as the Association, on behalf of the School’s parents, secured a parcel of land in the Snowy Mountains. This expansion was driven by three key principles: integrating classroom learning with outdoor fieldwork to enhance experiential education, providing a residential experience that fosters life and social skills, and incorporating adventure activities as an essential component of outdoor education.

The First Steps

By July 1996, HCC was operational, welcoming students for its first Winter School experience. Initial facilities included two demountable buildings, named Building 1 and Building 2. Junior School students (Years 4 to 6) attended lessons in the Dining Room, while Secondary School students studied at Snowy Mountains Grammar School. Building 1, originally a cardiology facility, had the capacity for 60 students and was named after Mr Doug Olding, a dedicated parent and president of The Redlands Association during the 1990s. Building 2, originally an outpatient facility, housed essential kitchen, dining and staff accommodations, and was named in honour of Mr Ross Alexander, a key figure in fundraising efforts for HCC. The support of The Redlands Association and the parent community was instrumental in transforming an alpine bush paddock into a thriving outdoor education campus. By 1996, the Parents Association had contributed a significant amount towards the site’s development, complemented by invaluable volunteer labour during the High Country Campus ‘working weekends’ in 1995 and 1996. The following year, both Year 7 and Year 11 students embarked on their first camp to the campus, marking another milestone in its development.

Further Development

HCC continued to expand with the addition of Building 3 in 1998, generously funded by the Keeling family. This new facility allowed Junior School Winter School students to have a dedicated space for the first time. The impact of these new facilities was profound, as expressed by Lux in 1998: “The Foundation was happy to be part of the group who worked with a family of the School who made it possible to bring the third building into operation on the High Country Campus. These additional facilities have understandably made a great difference to the HCC operation throughout this year.” By 1999, most classes were held at HCC, except for subjects requiring specialised equipment such as Science, Computing Studies and Art, which continued to be offered in conjunction with Snowy Mountains Grammar School.

Ongoing Improvements and Growth

Over the next decade, the campus saw continuous improvements, including the addition of pitched roofs to two buildings, upgraded satellite communications and the installation of wireless technology in 2003. Volunteer working weekends played a key role in enhancing the campus’s infrastructure and landscaping. By 2014, new development plans were set in motion thanks to the generosity of a Redlands family. This culminated in the opening of Building 4, named Van Weelde, in 2017.

This year, High Country Campus has expanded further with the introduction of the Year 9 Moonbah Program, with significant enhancements to Building 3, a new staff accommodation block, and on-site housing for the Head of High Country Campus, made possible by generous donations from the Redlands community. The evolution of HCC reflects Redlands’ ongoing commitment to transformative outdoor learning, ensuring students continue to thrive in its unique and immersive educational environment.

Eddy Atkins
Head of High Country Campus
eatkins@redlands.nsw.edu.au