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During the winter snow season of 2008 the year 12 class of the Little Yarra Rudolph Steiner School became one of the first school groups to be given the unique privilege of experiencing the beauty and vastness of the Bogong High Plains. This week long retreat for the final year students was made possible through the amazing combination of facilities and affordability only found in the Bogong Rover Chalet. Furthermore, the seeming obstacles of learning the skills of backcountry skiing and the day to day running of the chalet with all it encompasses were easily overcome through the co-operation of the Little Yarra teaching staff with several members of the Bogong Rover Management Committee that aided in overseeing the week.
With supervision, the students were given full opportunity to make use of all that the Rover Chalet and the surrounding environment have to offer. From simple yet stunning day trips through the Bogong High Plains to utilizing the only privately owned Ski tow in Australia alongside a host of other snow activities such as tobogganing, snowboarding and general play the students had a changing and new alpine experience each and every day. The week's activities were blessed with brilliant blue skies and wonderful snow conditions throughout which made the area all the more picturesque. Alongside the adventurous activities was the freedom of self-reliance that the chalet also offers as the students were able to get creative with the menu while preparing their own meals in the fully equipped industrial kitchen.
Other than minor administrative adjustments and a removal of the impetus upon the scouting movement the School's ski week ran much the same as any other Winter Party for those who have experienced it before. While not only providing an opportunity to experience one of Australia's great natural environments, away from the expensive and cluttered atmosphere of a ski resort, the retreat at the Bogong Rover Chalet allowed the year 12 students to momentarily forget the stresses and expectations of their last year in school and gave the class a truly memorable final time away together before moving on from their schooling life. It is with these memories that I can happily report that the Little Yarra Steiner School's week at the Bogong Rover Chalet in the Bogong High Plains was a complete success and something I would gladly be involved with again should the opportunity arise.
Will Chrisfield, BCMG
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