It stayed dry enough, for long enough, for Year 5 to enjoy a day at the Gympie Gold Museum this last Monday. Driving along the Bruce Highway under patchy blueish-grey skies, our hearts were full of hope to strike it rich, panning for gold. 

Upon arrival, the students had a short morning tea break before dividing into four groups and touring the exhibits with the local tour guides. Students explored elaborate displays of the history of gold mining in the local area and how various aspects of community lifestyle are different in the past compared to now. 

Highlights of the day included exploring the historic Calico Primary School classroom that exemplified the vast differences between what schooling was like many years ago compared to now. Suffice to say, many were glad to be born in this day and age and not have the threat of receiving the cane and Mr Cooper was happy that teachers in this present age are allowed to leave their home in the evening for more than one night per week and enter a local swimming pool without their integrity being brought into question. 

Upon completion of the tour, students and teachers alike enjoyed pizzas being delivered to us by Ps Jocelyn, and afterwards most chose to do a quick tour of the park and enjoy the beauty of Lake Alford Park. 

Now to answer the big question: Did we discover any gold? To the surprise of the tour guides, there were at least two students that actually did! One student found a decent little chunk (which unfortunately was dropped on the ground and not recovered!) and another found three small grain-sized specks in one pan! This may not be enough to start a retirement fund but we certainly did enjoy learning what life would have been like in the 1800s for those who moved to the area of Gympie trying to strike it rich! 

Jonathan Cooper, Year 5 Team Leader

GCC families can see all the photos on Pixevety in this album.