By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
NEVER has Canberra been talked of in such hallowed terms.
Students at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Noble Park are positively champing at the bit to visit our national capital next year.
One student, Hui, told the Journal it was his favourite place in the world. “It’s really quiet,” he says.
The school’s plan is to take up to 130 students in Year 5 and 6 to Canberra next year, touring our national institutions such as Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.
Last Friday the school launched a crowdfunding online campaign to raise $7500 in 30 days to subsidise the ‘Travelling For Democracy’ trip.
Principal Marg Batt says many of the students’ families would not otherwise afford the $800 a head without a subsidy.
Students comprise an array of nationalities but many have not ventured outside Melbourne.
Many identify themselves with nationalities other than Australian.
“We’re trying to build an identity, for them to get a feel for their Australian-ness,” Ms Batt says.
Last week, the students took part in a democracy day at the school – designing coats-of-arms, re-enacting the Eureka Stockade in costume and finding out the highlights of Canberra.
“You can’t do citizenship without understanding about mateship and the Southern Cross,” Ms Batt says.
“Our form of democracy is very rare in the world. It is an important part of our national identity – our children have the right to understand that.”
The activities sparked a fire in Year 5 student Rajeeva, so excited to learn more about our democracy and to visit our “big” national parliament house.
“It will be really busy in there. They’re trying to make Australia better,” she says.
Another student, Ravine, said he loved politics, particularly “all the fighting”.
Upon hearing about Canberra’s delights, a Year 6 student said he wished he could repeat next year so he could go on the trip.
The crowdfunding campaign mirrors last month’s successful $8000-plus drive for a ‘community castle’ at Dandenong West Primary School.
The two schools are taking part in a bigger vision known as “It’s Just a Postcode” launched last year.
The project opens the schools up to their wider neighbourhoods, striving to raise their families above socio-economic hardship.
To pledge a donation, go to pozible.com/travellingfordemocracy
