In the true spirit of school holiday programs, this year we held our very own version: The Tuckwell Holiday program, created specifically for Scholars who stayed in Canberra during the mid-year break. As part of this newly developed program, Scholars and staff enjoyed a number of local excursions.
The first outing was to Lanyon Homestead in Canberra’s south in Tharwa. The 1850s homestead features convict-era outbuildings, and stunning gardens. After morning tea, Scholars enjoyed a guided tour of the beautifully restored homestead and heard stories about its former occupants, the families that lived and worked there. The tour was followed by a walk around the property, with visits to the stables, the kitchen and the convict barn while looking out to the Murrumbidgee River and wandering through the gardens. It was a memorable experience for scholars and staff, many of whom hope to return in the future.
The second holiday program excursion was a tour of Black Mountain. Scholars first met for brunch at Pollen café in the Australian National Botanic Gardens and then ventured up to Telstra Tower where they were met by Thunderstone Tour guide Tyronne Bell, a Ngunnawal descendant. Tyronne led the group on a hike around the mountain, sharing knowledge passed down through generations about the area’s flora, fauna, changing landscape, and history.
Scholars spotted beautiful purple flowering plants (Hardenbergia violacea), an original scar tree, scribbly gums, and sticky bush cauliflower as well as hearing stories about the local Ngunnawal people, their customs, language, and traditions. The Dianella plant was used to create a whistling sound, traditionally used to attract snakes but of course (and to the relief of some Scholars and staff) there was no sign of Frank, the resident eastern brown snake, on this deep winter day. The tour concluded with scholars volunteering in a hands-on demonstration of how bush soap can be made from the soap wattle tree. It was a fantastic day on the mountain filled with heartfelt stories, fascinating insights into our native bushland, seasons and climate, and stunning views across the city towards Mount Ainslie.
Judging by Scholar feedback, the Tuckwell Holiday Program is likely to become an annual tradition as we continue exploring local landmarks, deepening our knowledge of the nation's capital, and helping Scholars feel at home and connected during non-teaching periods.
