Thursday, 25 November 2010
Today we returned from our one night solo/duo. Overall our spirits were high and we were all pumped for our penultimate day at Mt Binga. Planned for us today was the all talked about Mt Binga Challenge.
It was funfilled excitement and we had action packed activities enjoyed by all. This will be our last blog as it is our last full day here (how sad) and we will all miss our new homes but we will leave with many happy memories.
A special thanks goes to all of the Mt Binga staff who have encouraged us to strive and reach our full potential. We will miss Binga terribly but are looking forward to coming home.
Lauren, Sophie, Jayden and David
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Today was a very laid-back day. A group of 10 set out to check fences, bash Lantana and remove the thistles so the cattle can move in. Everyone enjoyed cake for Lachlan’s birthday. Groups set off to do their trail rides around the campsite and we all had heaps of fun.
While some groups were horseriding, other groups finished screen printing the Binga shirts. The Parker boys got in trouble for not keeping the dining room clean after lunch. Everyone is so excited for solo and duo campouts tomorrow!
Only three days until we are home.
Sophie, Claudette and Matthew
Monday, 22 November 2010
Today was a fun and exciting day for the Russell kids. Coomba Falls was an awesome day for all with some of us getting bitten by killer catfish which was very amusing. On the way back the ‘Magic Troopie’ was joined by a rather weird truck driver who liked to honk his own horn which was really funny. Solo and Binga Challenge are coming up and everyone can’t wait. Matt might be making a surprise come back.
Trent, Breeanna and Chetan
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Today was another laid-back day. We had chapel in the morning, time to wash and then we had free time. A few people went on the trail ride. Tomorrow we are going to Coomba Falls for a day of abseiling and everyone is looking forward to that. Then on Tuesday everyone will be going on the trail ride. Tonight we are having a group dinner. Today we got Milo and Cordial. The Milo and Cordial didn’t last long. We will make the most of the time we have left at Binga. We are looking forward to seeing everhyone when we get home.
Jenna, Lachlan D, Max
Saturday, 20 November 2010
For some today was a chill out day with washing clothes, patting horses, reading and playing football. Some volunteered to spend the day helping Mr Grieger and Mr Collier with putting up a fence. Some of us wrote letters to our family and friends. We had a very relaxing day.
Sam, Adriana and Jayden
Friday, 19 November 2010
Today, everyone got taken on a day trip to the Bunya Mountains where we went walking through the rainforest tracks. The first track was alongside a stream which ended up leading into a waterfall, it was so pretty. The second track had some parts where it was covered with stinging netal. Both tracks were really fun and had spectacular views. At morning tea, wild parrots came and sat on our heads, one left a surprise on Chetan’s head. A crow also stole Jeremy’s apple, he ran after it but it got away, it was pretty hilarious. The day was full of excitement and surprises. We will never forget it.
Sarah, Michaela and Chetan
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Today was a rainy day but we still managed to have fun and use our newly learnt skills. We did Prussic Climb which is where you haul yourself up a rope using other smaller pieces of rope that are attached to your harnesses. Sam broke the record with a speed of 22 seconds climbing the approximately 5m long rope. We all did well and had a go. While some people were doing Prussic Climb others were baking, wood chopping, wood collecting and designing our 2010 Binga T-shirts. We baked chocolate slice, anzac cookies, jam drops, chocolate crackles, coconut cookies, butterscotch pudding and apple crumble.
All in all it was a very productive day and we all enjoyed ourselves. Bye for now , see you soon.
Sam, Holly and Erica
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Today we set off for abseiling but before we left we made sandwiches for lunch, put on our slip on shoes and grabbed our hats and water bottles. Then it was time for us to set off in either troopies or utes.
When we got to the place, we were given safety instructions and were given our harnesses to put on. After that we all had a go at the ‘flat ground abseiling’ for practice. Then it was time to abseil down the cliff face. Some of us were too scared to get down the 8 metre fall. One by one, we slowly made our way down. When we got down we felt accomplished and left people wanting to have another go. Some people even tried hanging upside down!
As well as abseiling, there was also rock climbing. Special mention goes to Lachlan E who climbed the 8 metre wall in just over 19 seconds.
For dinner we are having Mediteranean Chicken and are all hoping to get mail tonight. We are all having a great time here and will see you again in 9 days.
Sophie, Sam, Jeremy
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
This morning all the Russell kids got back from their 1 night survival camp out. It was a very thrilling night for the Greasley girls (Chloe, Sophie, Sarah, Lauren, Erica and Neriman) as while they were cooking dinner they encountered a red belly black snake, we got a fright but we are all OK.
Everyone survived camp out and had a great time then came back to our saddled horses ready for another riding lesson. Most of our day was spent helping out around our current home, cleaning, mowing and gardening. Along with our funfilled horse riding.
All in all today has been a very enjoyable day for all us Russell superstars!
Chloe, Bree and David
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Well what a beautiful day we had for Russell Family Day 2010.
With heavy grey clouds above and a few drops of rain to settle the red dust on the windscreen we arrived at Binga. As the trees parted to a beautiful sunny, green clearing you could see some kids kicking the football while others waited on the wagon under the beautiful shady pine trees.
One by one the parents arrived, greeted with big smiles, hugs and kisses from their very excited children.
Soon we were hearing the rules and shown the sites, the main assembly area, dormitories, toilets, the veggie patch, laundry, kitchen area and Big Bertha, where all their bread is baked. Parents got a good look at where their children were calling home, and also that if they really want to, they can be extremely neat and tidy.
11am marked the beginning of the family service. The theme, ‘Opportunity’. This theme was chosen by the kids and each person took part. Trent and Jeremy played their guitars as Lauren, Chloe and Erika opened worship with the song ‘Opportunity’ by Pete Murray, later they also sang ‘Grace like Rain’ by the Newsboys. Steve Grieger, Co- Head of Mt Binga spoke to the families about taking the opportunity to seek out and find Jesus. Whether we are at school or at Mt Binga, we should all take action to find out as much as we can by grasping every new opportunity that comes our way.
The week leading up to family day parents often receive a list asking for their favourite foods for lunch. Pete H was happy with his bucket of KFC of which he consumed 8 cold pieces. Lachlan T enjoyed a pie and coke. Chloe was content with her large jar of Nutella, eating with a teaspoon. Jeremy loved his chicken burger, mango and chocolate cake and trust Max B to have prawns.
Mt Binga’s beautiful shady surrounds allowed families to spread the picnic rug out and relax, while hearing stories of the 2 weeks past. Learning to ride the horses, helping Mr Grieger fix the bore, milk the cows, the 3 day hike, which saw them walk 25kms and scrubbing the pots till they shone. The afternoon also saw many visits to the horses, the dairy, chooks, ducks and the alpacas. Some families also enjoyed a game of cricket and showed skills that the Australian cricket team would like to have.
4pm saw the last of the parents packing up and heading for the long journey home. Leaving behind with them a few treats for the kids which must be consumed by 7pm. I wonder whether Lachlan E did drink those 3 cans of coke. I would not have liked to be on toilet duty the next day.
For many Mt Binga may seem a daunting thought as you prepare for your child to head away for 4 weeks and for many children this is the longest time that they are away from family, but it does go quickly and the life skills that they learn about are amazing. What they learn about themselves, how they live and deal with other personalities and the realisation that materialistic processions are not that important.
God has given us the opportunity as a College to send our children away to seek him out and discover that we are truly blessed to have what we have.
David Moore
Binga Blog 