Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a hiking camp of 3 days and 2 nights duration in a relatively isolated and spectacular
coastal area. Students walk 24 km from Apollo Bay to Parkers Inlet inside the Great Otway National Park.
Each student carries a backpack containing all of their own camping equipment and supplies. Students sleep in tents
at designated campsites that are maintained by Parks Victoria.
See for more
information.
The photos below were taken on one of our Great Ocean Walk expeditions.
Abseiling
Abseiling takes place in an isolated area at the You Yangs National Park, 55kms south west of Melbourne towards Geelong.
Abseiling is an activity with a significant level of perceived risk. Students are given instruction in fitting a harness,
connecting into a rope system and safely abseiling to ground level before descending the granite wall at the Big Rock
Picnic Area. This provides students an individual challenge, with the support and communication of instructors.
The photos below were taken on one of our Abseiling expeditions.
TAFE Engineering
TAFE experiences give students an insight into a TAFE environment and to give them an idea of readiness with respect
to an adult learning centre. students will need to listen and practically demonstrate a given skill with regard to
occupational health and safety. In a narrative sense this experience gives students the realization that they are
entering a decision making stage in their life with respect to their future career pathway.
The photos below were taken at TAFE Taster Engineering sessions.
First Aid
At First Aid students are trained in some essential community safety skills including resucitation and surf
rescue techniques. Students also learn about CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resucitation) and general First Aid. Students
travel to the South Melbourne Surf Life Saving Club to firstly learn about CPR and First Aid. After this students
are given a tour of the club and then given the opportunity to practise on rescue
boards before learning rescue techniques in the water.
The photos below were taken at First Aid sessions.
Collingwood Childrens' Farm
The Childrens' Farm in Collingwood is a not-for-profit organisation that is a great resource for the children of
Melbourne who do not get experiences in farm animals. The farm relies on voluntry groups to assist in its running.
Operation Newstart groups come in to assist in a project that benefits the farm and the people who visit.
Previous groups have created garden beds that better the appearance of the farm or have removed unwanted weeds along
the bank of the Yarra river. Students also get to interact with animals by feeding pigs,chickens and goats as well
as ocassionally milking the cow.
The photos below were taken at Collingwood Childrens' Farm.
Surfing
The surf camp is a 2 camp staying at the Bancoora Surf Life saving Club located just outside Torquay.
A surf instructor takes the students through water safety and the steps to successfully stand up and ride a wave.
Students attain a Victorian Surfing Association Water Safety and Surfing Certificate.
Note: Surfing is not offered in third term.
The photos below were taken on Surfing expeditions.
Caving
In the caving activity students explore a 200m long cave at an isolated location. The students are issued with a
helmet and head torch and given safety information before being lowered 10 metres underground into the cave.
From there the group work as a team to follow markers and together find a way to the exit.
See
for more information about caving.
The photos below were taken on Caving expeditions.
TAFE Landscaping
TAFE experiences give students an insight into a TAFE environment and to give them an idea of readiness with respect
to an adult learning centre. students will need to listen and practically demonstrate a given skill with regard to
occupational health and safety. In a narrative sense this experience gives students the realization that they are
entering a decision making stage in their life with respect to their future career pathway.
The photos below were taken at TAFE Landscaping sessions.
CFA Fire Training
This amazing experience and opportunity offered by the CFA at the Fiskville training centre near Ballan gives Newstart
students a real taste of fire training and an understanding of how a fire service operates with regard to safety in
the community. Students receive a lesson on fire science followed by explanation and experience in the use of a variety
of different extinguishers to put out fires. After a hearty CFA lunch students get to work as a team and experience
a simulated gas cylinder fire using the big pressure hoses to extinguish the flames. Students also have opportunity
to experience the heat that is generated in a house fire simulation.
The photos below were taken at CFA Fire
Training sessions.
Survivor
The survivor camp is a fantastic outdoor experience in the bush at the Kinglake Ranges Adventure Camp.
Students of the Operation Newstart Northern crew work together as a team competing against other Operation Newstart
programs for the Survivor trophy. Students create a shelter to sleep under and participate in high ropes and other
problem solving activities and the teams earn points by participating in challenges.
The photos below were taken at Survivor camps.
Rock Climbing
Students visit the indoor rock climbing at Hardrock climbing gym for a half day training and experience in rock
climbing. Students receive instruction on how to fit a harness and to connect to the rope system so that they can
safely climb the artificial rock wall at the gym. Students will be taught how to belay and ensure the
safety of the climber. Once able to safely use the equipment students have opportunity to undertake individual
climbing challenges, which can vary from easy to very hard depending on the student’s own choice.
The photos below were taken at Rock Climbing sessions.
TAFE Hospitality
TAFE experiences give students an insight into a TAFE environment and to give them an idea of readiness with respect
to an adult learning centre. students will need to listen and practically demonstrate a given skill with regard to
occupational health and safety. In a narrative sense this experience gives students the realization that they are
entering a decision making stage in their life with respect to their future career pathway.
The photos below were taken at TAFE Taster Engineering sessions.
The photos below were taken at TAFE Hospitality sessions.
Surf Lifesaving
Surf Lifesaving is conducted at the South Melbourne Surf Life Saving Club where students learn about water safety
and concerns when we enter a surf environment. Students learn important information about rips, signals and rescues
in a controlled environment. Students are also trained in some essential community safety skills including resucitation,
surf rescue techniques, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resucitation) and general First Aid.
The photos below were taken at Surf Lifesaving sessions.
Canoe Expedition
Canoeing day-trips are undertaken to allow students to complete a day’s paddling instruction and canoe touring on
a Grade 1 river. This enables students to gain canoeing skills, including paddling and safety skills relevant to
canoeing. These day-trips serve as preparation for the Canoe Expedition, for which we travel to the Lower Glenelg
River, near the South Australian border, where students embark on a journey which includes a 7km hike and 40 kms
by river in a canoe. Canoeing requires students to communicate and work in cooperation with their canoe partner.
In the course of this journey students will need to apply the skills they have developed throughout the programme
including organisational skills relevant to camping as there will be minimal support and supervision.
See for more information
about the Canoe Expedition
The photos below were taken on Canoeing expeditions.
Mountain Biking
Students ride on a purpose built, single track mountain bike trail in the You Yangs National Park. Students ride
through a single track through the forrest requiring a good level of fitness that challenges them physically while
improving individual bike handling skills. Students may also choose to undertake a more difficult course that has
some challenging dips and rises.
Visit
for more information.
The photos below were taken on Mountain Biking expeditions.
TAFE Agriculture
TAFE experiences give students an insight into a TAFE environment and to give them an idea of readiness with respect
to an adult learning centre. students will need to listen and practically demonstrate a given skill with regard to
occupational health and safety. In a narrative sense this experience gives students the realization that they are
entering a decision making stage in their life with respect to their future career pathway.
The photos below were taken at TAFE Taster Engineering sessions.
The photos below were taken at TAFE Agriculture sessions.
Gym/Fitness
One of our recent focus areas is with health and fitness. While on the program students will participate in gym
circuits designed by the instructor which concentrate on fitness gains. Nutrition will also be discussed to highlight
the importance it has in determing an individual's health. Students will also receive a 3 month memebership at the
City of Yarra Recreation Gyms, enabing them to work out outside of the program.
Students are given a fitness
assessment on the first day of the programme, which is compared to the post program assessment to measure the gains
in fitness attributed to the physical activities on the operation Newstart programme.
This is a fun way to learn how to improve body image and exercise control in creating lifestyle and health
choices.
The photos below were taken at Gym sessions.
Cross Country Skiing
Cross Country Skiing is offered in third term only and instead of surfing.
We travel to Lake Mountain on a two day camp where students undertake an overnight cross country skiing trip.
Dormitory accommodation at Narbethong is used for the night away. Students experience cross country skiing with a
high level of skill acquisition using the groomed trails maintained by the resort. Students learn the skills required
to successfully ski safely up and down the trails while enjoying the snow environment on offer.
See
for more information on the venue.
The photos below were taken at Cross Country Skiing.
High Ropes
High Ropes is an adventure activity provided by the high and low ropes course run by KWAC personnel in a bush setting.
Students are connected to a safety rope and then climb 10 metres up a ladder to attempt to walk over a series elements
high above the ground. The elements are: the log walk, tight rope, multi-vine and flying fox, which is the finale and
provides the way to return to ground.
Visit
for more information on the high ropes.
The photos below were taken at the High Ropes course.
Mt Buller Leadership
The Mt Buller Leadership Camp is offered in term 3 only and for past Newstart graduates.
This 4 day skiing/snowboarding camp is offered to past Newstart graduates who have gone back to school and achieved
their educational goals serving as a reward for reaching potential back at school. Students are given expert tuition
by Mt Buller instructors in their choice of snowboarding or skiing and stay in a chalet on the mountain. Students are
nominated by their school for their change in attitude and ability to fulfil their potential since being back at school.
Students are required to participate in a project that is set up and discussed during the camp. This initiative is made
possible through Mt Buller Ski Lift’s generosity.
See
for more information.
The photos below were taken at Mt Buller leadership.
Horseriding
Horseriding is a fantastic experience where the group travel to Uncle Nev's in Wallan to go on a ride through some
lovely bush. Students undertake a day’s horse riding activity. It can be a nervous time for some students but after
their confidence grows it turns in to a memorable experience. Students get to trust and respect their horse, learning
how to turn, stop and run as they choose. After a nice BBQ we return to the stables via some different routes that
allow some good gallops.
The photos below were taken at Horseriding sessions.
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