Moreton Bay Students set off on Outback Queensland Journey

Last month, eighteen Moreton Bay students walked among the dinosaurs, discovered the spiritual home of Waltzing Matilda and learned about the foundation of the flying kangaroo when they travelled to Winton for the trip of a lifetime.

The students travelled to outback Queensland as part of Moreton Bay Regional Council and Winton Shire Council’s 2018 Beach to Bush competition, which late last year asked students from schools across Moreton Bay to put their best foot forward and describe why they want to take part in the 1,350km trip to Winton.

Before the trip, Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said entrants had impressed the judges with their passion for the bush, incredible knowledge of local topics like Banjo Patterson and how they could share their stories with their classmates after the visit.

“I’m excited, because the students will get to tour the brand new Waltzing Matilda Centre, explore the dinosaur canyon at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum and experience the views which have given Winton the nickname big sky country,” Mayor Sutherland said.

Winton Shire Mayor Gavin Baskett said Winton has had a great relationship with the Moreton Bay Shire over many years and the Beach to Bush & Bush to Beach programs are a good way to broaden our youths’ horizons.

“It’s great to have these students from the Moreton Bay Shire region visiting us during such a momentous occasion,” Mayor Baskett said.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all the kids and hoping they have a good experience with many stories of their adventure that they can take back to family and friends.”

Mayor Sutherland said not only is it a great way for the kids to experience the sights, it is also an important opportunity for Moreton Bay’s younger residents to visit rural communities and see why both Moreton Bay and Winton cherish the sister city relationship.

“I think there’s a perception out there of this growing disconnect between communities in urban areas and those in the bush, and I think this trip will show that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

“We may be some 1,300km apart, but we have a hell of a lot in common and I hope the students create new friendships and experience the sense of mateship and family that both communities share.”