MCC Basilikos 1989 - Yearbook

r . 1 a 1

The sixth year of the life of the college has proven to be a stabilizing year. In previous years there has always been somedaunting,monumentalmilestonetopass. Whetheritwas a government appeal, an imp[ortant inspection, working to gainaccreditationforjuniorcertificates,ora 'simple'littletask likebuildingaschoolbuilding;thesemilestoneshaveprovided themomentumoflifewithintheschool.

Thisyear,however,wehavebeenabletoaddresssomeofthe really important aspects ofa growing Christian school. This has enabled us to develop the school's vision further and to bring aclarityto the 'how'of turning vision into reality. Asa resultofthisprocesswehaveinitiatedanumberofcurriculum projectsthatarespecificallydesignedtobuildintothelivesof ourstudents,bothadesiretobeeffectiveChristianswithinour community and the knowledge, skillsand life-style that will enablethemtoachievethis.

Our Chinese language programme is one example. This project has as its objective not only the learning of another language, but that studentsshouldbeginto see themselvesas apart ofaworldthatislargerthanMackayor Australia, and thatstudentsshouldgainagreaterunderstandingoftheextent towhichotherculturesdifferfromourown. Coupledwiththe languageskillsthatarelearnedandtheinterestinothercultures thatwillbegeneratedwithintheirlives,itishopedthatstudents will recognize that the world is a big place and that there are manyyettobereachedfor Christ.

Insupportoftheongoingdevelopmentoftheschool,wehave begun to introduce astudent missionstatement or catch-cry' �1i:\ T(E IT COUNT'. It is hoped thatover a period of time

this simple phrase will become closely associated with the values that are built into the student's lives and will, in fact, become a part of their lifestyle - to Make it Count for the KingdomofGod.

This year we have ventured into year 11 and will continue intoyear12in 1990. ThegrowthanddevelopmentthatIhave observed in the lives of these students has been of great personalencouragementtomethisyear. Althoughthisstepin our growth has meant much hard work I feel that God is honouringoureffortsinthelivesofthestudents.

AsIreflectontheyearthathaspassedIcanseethemoulding hand of a skilful craftsman working on our behalf. My own personal feeling about thisyear is that we have just begun to hit our stride and that the exciting part of the journey is just around the comer. Itiswith that sense of anticipation-anenjoyable feeling of expectancy withwhichIlook to the future of our students and their impact on thisworld.

pastor C. Murison Principal.

HOUSECAPTAINS - JUDAH

Bronwyn Johnson U8/9 - Joel

Krause and Jaylee Sutton UlO -

WellonceagainanotheryearhaspassedquicklyatMackay Christian College. Thisyearwassurelyaneventful Luke Krause and Sarah Smith andsuccessfulone.

Ul1/12 - Ian Bell and Kristy SutTheAthletics Carnival, whichwas held onthe18thofAugust, wasadayenjoyedbycompetitorsaswellasthe ton Ul3/14 - Simon O'Brien and onlookers. Both ClintJung (U8/9) and Katrice Pearce (U13/14) completedoutstandingachievementsduringthe Emma O'Brien Open - Adam day. TheeffortputinbyallJudahhousecompetitors, aswellasourcheerleadersofcourseputusontopand we GraceandDanelle Solomon won!

I would like to thank these stuCongratulationtothesestudentsfortheirefforts-V6n - MichaelCliffordandAlison StokesU8/9 - ClintJung dents, andindeedthewholeteam, andCarmenGibbsUlO -ArdenAhwongandTaraLoosmoreUl1/12 - DonaldGibbsandBelindaGibbsU13/14 fortheirparticipation.

- George Ahwong andKatrice Pearce OPEN - PeterHarris andNatasha Ahwong

Maybe the highlight of the day

The next event for the year was the tiring Cross Country. Although Benjamin house put up some great wasthe1500mracewhichMrHall competition, thestudents fromJudahaccomplishedthe mostpoints. won easily. Goodone MrHall!! I have thoroughly enjoyed the position ofJudah House Captain and would like to thank Natasha Ahwong for The Cross Country was also a beingawonderfulVice Captain. IwouldalsoliketotaketheopportunityinthankingallthestudentsinJudahfor great success. It was held on theirco-operationandfordoingtheirbestallyearround!AsImoveontoyear11,Iwouldencouragefuturesports Friday, 6thOctober. OnceagainI captainstodotheirbesttosupporttheirteam. wouldliketothankallthoseteam

BELINDAFREEMAN(CAPTAIN) NATASHAAHWONG (VICE CAPTAIN)

OUSE TAINS MIN

CAP-

- BEN-

The Mackay Christian College annual sports carnival was held on the 18th August this year. hedaybeganlookingbleakand feeling a bit chilly. However, spiritsfrombothJudahandBen.amin were running high. hildrenthroughoutthe day behaved really well. Thankfully, there were no major injuries to anyone... excepta spill from Mr homas.

In Benjamin, outstanding sports people were as follows:

6/7 - Luke MacFarlane and

members for a great effort par­

ticipation.

Thankyou to all those Parents andFriendswhohelpedonbothof these occasions to help make the daysrunsmoothlyandsuccessfully.

Hope to see you all again next year.

SONYA CARLING (CAPTAIN) MELANIE DAVIS (VICE CAPTAIN)

Simon O'Brien OPEN GIRLS

- NatashaAhwong OPENBOYS

-AdamGrace

JOHN SAUNDERS.

MACKAYCHRISTIANrn11"1<r.T.

SchoolGround.Thechildrenwere surprised to learn about First Aid forbeestings.

Later, Mrs Dolan and Mrs McDonald, camp moths, took the girls aside to teach them crocheting. It was a difficult task and someofthegirlsshowedpromise.

The children sat around a camp firebeforebedtimelisteningtoMr McDonald's stories about the bush. Thenightwaseventfuland everyonesleptsoundly.

Everybody enjoyed a healthy breakfast of cereal and toast the next morning.

The camp was enjoyable andinteresting.

myself) - the eye opening visit to the abattoir, Thomas Borthwicks &Sons. Yes,theyear 11's, under the ever watchful eye of our teacherMr Saunders,wereouton ourEconomics excursion, aiming to become more knowledgeable on the production processes inan industry.

servetheproductionofthemeat butitwasalsoanexperiencejust walkingthroughtheboningand slicingroomtothemany

'wolf' whistles and 'yahoos' of the workers. We were shown the many slices of meat available, what they were used for, and wheretheyweresent. Wewere alsogiven a look at the various by-products from the production process, and it was very impressive how all the parts of thelivestockwereusedinsome way or another. Such products as stock food and leather from theirhide.

The day finally arrived, the one we'd all been waiting for (Mr Saunders, Natalie, Tulane and

We were able to observe the various processes of production from 'moo to meat' (as Mr Saunder's would put it), and to experience first hand the excitementontheproductionfloor. We startedinthestockyardswherethe livestockwerekept and gradually progressed from the slaughtering ofthebeasts (withourcontinuous 'ooh's and ahh's)rightthroughto theboning,slicingandpackaging. Not only was it interesting to ob-

We were also givenmuch information on the history ofthe business, typesoftransportationused, types of livestock, where their livestock is obtained, specialization within the workforce and capital equipment, the main markets (overseas and domestic), effectofgovernment policies and intervention, and the types of industrial conflict experienced among the employees and employersintheabattoiritself. It was a really great experience and a very interesting outing, but as with all good things there's always a catch. In this case, it was an assignment on the economic side to Thomas Borthwicks & Sons. Unlikeotherassignmentsit was quite easy to write and I ac-

don'tfunction.Theroleofthe kidneyinourbodiesistopurify theimpuritiesfromourblood. Approximately1litreofblood (20%ofallyourblood)passes throughyourkidneysevery minuteofyourlife.

Needlesstosay,someofthestudentsweresomewhatnervous uponarrivalanddidn'thavemuch tosayeither.Thenurseincharge (inmyopinion)gaveanexcellent andthoroughrundownofhowthe bloodofthepatient'sinattendancewasbeingcleansed.The patientshadtocomeinfor "dialysis"(bloodcleansing)twice aweek.Theyhadaverystrictdiet andminimumfluidintake.These patientswouldnotbealiveifthese machineswerenotavailabletodo theworkoftheirkidneysandthe needforthesemachinesisonthe nse.

Iamconvincedthatthesestudentslefttherenalunitwitha greaterappreciationfortheirnormalhealthylives.Itrustthatthis visitmaycultivateadesireinthem tolookaftertheirbodiesthatthey havebeengiven.

GOOSEPONDS EXCURSION GRADE9

TheYear9Sciencestudents werecertainlykeentogetinto

theactionattheGoosepondson

March7thoftheyear.Withina fewmomentsofthestudentsbeing placedintheirgroupsandthen dismissedtocollectthenecessary informationwhoofallpeople couldbeheardwithsuchclarityin anxietybutBernadette.(Her specimencontainerhadgone "afloat"beyondthereachofher fingers).Carlharkenedtoher despaironlyafewmomentslater rescuinghercontainerwithhisdip net. Ifthisenvironmentwouldhave beenruggedandmountainous, Lisawouldhavebeenachamp. Lisawasmarchingoutinfrontof hergroup(3pacesinfrontofCarl) carryingallthegearhavingsucha determinedlookonherface.

"Goodonya'Lisa!"

Davintightlygrippedthe specimenboxofhisgroupwiththe bothhandsasEmmaandCarmen snailedtheirwayinhisshadow (theydidn'tgetfinishedeither!)

RachelandKathywerethefirst onestoreportafishstoryandPeter Harrisbeingtheladthatheis,adventurouslyledBernadettewhere nootherstudentshadbeen.

Intheirgroupsofthree,thestudentsweretomeasurethewater temperatureandclarityat10differentstationsaroundthe Gooseponds.Theywerealsoto writedownthedifferentor-

ganismsthattheysawateachstationwhichweretobeusedtoestablishafoodweborfoodchain. Alltheinformationthattheywere tocollectand try toidentifywas purposedtoassistthemincompletingthewrittenassignmentthat wastobeassessedinSemester One.

Overall,Ifeelthatthestudents hadarelaxingandstimulatingexperienceininvestigatingtheecologyof"Gooseponds"thisyear.

..,1111

DuringTerm2,onthe18thof April,theYear11Biologystudentstravelledtothepathology labofMackayBaseHospital.The foreignenvironmentandthe sophisticatedapparatuswithinthis buildingassistedgreatlyinsetting thesceneforagreatadventureinto "bugland".

Thetermbugsisappliedtoinfectiousbacteriathatentersour bodies.David,thepathologist (bugspecialist)gavethestudents agoodlookatwhathedoes.He commencedbyshowingthemthe urinesamplesthathadarrivedthat dayandexplainedtheprofessional

responsibilitythathehadinkeepingtheresultprivatesothatindividualswereprotectedfromembarrassment.

Hethenshowedthestudentshow asmallsamplewastakenandappliedtoacultureplate(Thestudentsactuallyhadagoatthisnear theendoftheexcursionusinga "safe"solution).Davidthen showedthestudentswerethecultureswereincubated,toldthem howlongforandatwhattemperature.Davidandhisassistanthad purposelydelayedinexamining incubatedculturestillthestudents werepresentsothathecouldshow themwhattheylookedlike,what testshadtobedonetoidentify someandhowhedecidedwhich oneswereinneedoftreatment. Thestudentswereabsolutely amazedhowquicklyhedidthis. Aprocessofstainingforthepurposesofidentifyingcertaintypes ofbacteriawasdemonstratedto thestudentswhichinvolvedanexaminationthroughthepowerful andexpensivemicroscopes.

Thisexcursioncertainlygavethe studentsanopportunitytoappreciatehowGodprotectsusby givingmanthenecessaryunderstandingandskillsinhandlingand controllingthelifeofbacteriain ourbodies.

ing up cloud cover and other physicalstructuressuchasislands asitdid.

Aftereveryonehadampleopportunitytoseeeverythinginside,the class was taken back outside for whatwasprobablythehighlightof the day. A hydrogenballoon was filledandreleasedintotheatmosphere. Everyone stood watching asthehugeballoonbecame a tiny speck in the sky and disappeared intothedistance.

Special thanks are given to the parents who came and provided transport for this and many other excursions. Without them, this verysuccessfuloutingwould also havebeenamuchmoreexpensive one.

VJSJT TO THE ART DJSPLAY -

GRADE 8

On Friday the 19th May, the Grade 8's visited the Mackay Entertainment Centre.Thetitleof the display was "The Best of the Australian Outback Artist's". The display of art work was similar to those presented last year. There were works by well knownartists like Pro Hart, Stan Johns, Jack Absalom. Other artists(wedidn'tknowsowell)were Peter Snelgar who painted a beautiful series of works of

Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. Robert

Pope's work was easily recognizablebecauseoftheirsimilarity. Eachstudentstudiedthepaintings to find which one they like the best. Theywereabletomaketheir evaluation because they had learned about colour, shape, line, tone and texture in the art programmethisyear. Some of the student were very interestedin theprices. Themost expensive was $5 850 painted by Jack Absalom. called "Afternoon Shadows", Barrier Ranges, Broken Hill. The cheapest you couldbuywas $45 unframed!

AbigthankstoMrsO'Brienand

Mr Hall for transporting the students.

KINCHANT DAM AND MIRANIWEIR-GRADE

4/5AND 6/7

Year4/5combinedwithYear6n at the end of Term 3 to visit KinchantDamaftertheylongwet season resulted in an earlier postponement. Water catchment systemsplayaveryimportantpart rollinfarming communities such as those surrounding Mackay and District andeveryonewascertain!ymadewellawareofthiswiththe helpofMr Rod Mackie.

Mr Mackie works for the Water Resources Commission and he

made arrangements for the studentstosee"behindlockeddoors" at the Mirani Weir site. The children were fascinated by the concept of a wall being made of rubber which can be inflated and deflatedbytheflickofaswitch. Thoughthewallwasnotinflated atthetimeofthevisitthechildren haveseenavideoprovidedbythe Water Resources Commission showing the rubber bag being fixed to the top of the wall at the time of construction and then its subsequentinflation. Now,outon the field, everything was put into realperspective.

After Mirani Weir everyone piledonboardthehiredcoachand went back to chatting with their classmatesuntiltheyarrivedatthe Kinchant Dam. Here Mr Mackie wasable to point out a numberof things not obvious to the casual visitor.

Excursionslikethis bring to life subjectsthataremere conceptsin the four walls of a classroom. Thank you Mr Mackie and the Queensland Water Resources Commission.

COURTHOUSE VISIT GRADE6/7

Related to the Year 6/7 study of Government was

their visit to the Mackay Court House. ThisvisitfollowedonimmediatelyafterthevisittotheCity CouncilOffices.

Outsidethecourtroomoneofthe court house staff members explained to the children what they were about to see. However, as with most things in life, it wasn't until they hadseen it forthemselvesthattheyreallywereinaposition to understand what takes placeinacourtroom.

Once in the court room, total silencewasmaintainedbythestudents as a witness was cross examinedbythesolicitorsfromboth parties involved with this particular case. It wasn't until later that the students caught onto the relevanceofsomeofthequestions being asked. Not many ofthem will make good lawyers - but we're confident this experience hasopened their eyes to theplace of law courts in a democratic societylikeours.

BUTTERFLY EXCURSION

whichhadbeenadaptedtocater forthebutterfliesandmoths.

- GR 3/4

FormanyweeksduringTerm3, thegrade3and4livedand breathedbutterflies.Theylearnt abouttheircycle,collectedpupa andevenwatchaCairnsBirdswinghatch!

Whentheyreceivedaninvitation tovisitMrStanScott'sbutterfly collection,theyacceptedwithout hesitation.OnJuly18wespent themorninglookingatMrScott's wideselectionofmothsandbutterfliesfromallovertheworld.

MrScottshowedusthatitisnota merehobbyforhim-heshowed ussomeofhissuperb,creative displaysofscenesmadeentirely frombutterflies,mothsand variousinsects.Itwasamazingto seetheintricatedetailsthatadded suchlifetothem.

Wesaw,forexample,themale andfemaleCairnsBirdswing,the Wanderer,theBlueTriangle,the BlueUlyssesandanumberof localinsects.Theinterestingthing tonotewasthatitwasobviousthat themaleofthespecieswas,inthe majorityofcases,themostcolourfulandattractive.Thefemales tendedtobedullincolourand texture.MrScottthenshowedusa chrysalisandeggswhichwere recentlylaidinhisbackyard,

Overall,thegrade3and4 thoroughlyenjoyedthemselves andlearntatremendousamount throughMrScott'sassistance. ThankyouMrScottfromMiss CohenandCompany

GRADE1 EXCURSION TO THE S.P.CA.

Itwashardtodecideafavourite animal.

Acoupleofcute,cuddlypuppies orperhapsthosethatweremore activeandplayful?Maybethekittens-butwhichone?Itwasnearly impossibletoprythesefriendly felinesawayfromthechildren(or viceversa)andeventhenthekittensescapedbackoutthroughthe wirefencetoreturntothevery attentivechildren.

Perhapsthebabyringtailpossums-abandonedbutbeingcared foratthe S.P.CA. untilthey've matureenoughtogobacktothe bush.Theysatonthechildren's heads,necks,shouldersandlaps,

totallyamusingeveryoneand givingthechildrenaveryrewardingexperienceinclosecontact withAustralia'syoungnative animals.Otheryoungnativesat theS.P.CA.wereseveraltinyfruit batsandbabywallabies(orwobbalies,astheywereincorrectly referredto).

Margaretwascertainlypopular. Who'sMargaret?Abeautifully natured,brownhorsethatvery patientlygaveeachchildarideand wasthenrewardedbythechildren withfreshcarrotsandlettuce.(We forgotthesugarcubes).Itwas

interesting to watch the children quietly, and some not so quietly, do their "pet-shopping" throughoutthestay. Margaretwas certainlyacandidateforanewpet inmostchildren'shomes.

Other interesting animals there included kookaburras, a duck, a sheep dog, gerrnan shepherds and many homeless dogs cared for at thiscentre.The S.P.C.A. runs largelyondonationsandthechildren hadcollectedmanytinsandpacketsofcatanddogfood(evensome

WORK EXPERIENCE.

Forthethirdyearinsuccession, Mackay Christian College has conductedourYear 10WorkExperience program, and, once again, ithasbeen a greatsuccess. Each one of the students has expressedthattheynotonlyenjoyed aweekoutinthe"worldofwork" butthatitwasprofitableinhelping

chicken pellets ... and even a can opener!!) which we were able to presentonourvisit. Itwascertainly a worthwhile, interesting, exhaustingandverynoisytimeBUT a visitworthrepeatingnextyear

them decide upon future career choices.

Ourstudents wereplacedas follows: Natasha Ahwong was involved in workshedidn't"mind" doing at Mackay Child Minding Centre. Sonya Carling'swork experiencestruckupapleasantnote as a co- ordinator at Pandanas Music Centre. Melanie Davis cookedupallsortsofsurprisesfor heremployerasachefatHarbour Lights Restaurant. Belinda Freeman found the "wild life" at

Cape Hillsborough National Park as arangersuitedherdowntothe ground. Adam Grace discovered, after a "slump in the sump", that "oils ain't oils" during his work

experience as a motor mechanic at Seagull Service Centre.

Michelle Gray & Danelle Solomon both had "hair-raising" experiences during the week. Michelle working at Revs Hair Design and Danelle at Lorraine Coiffure as hairdressers. Chris

Smith got into trouble at work experience from hisbossbecausehewasrumoured to the making "funny signs" behindhisback! (Chrisdidsignwriting atBlair Signs).

Congratulation to our Year 10's on a job well done and thanks to the workexperienceemployees.

ChrisSmith. DanelleSolomon.

NatashaAhwong.

AdamGrace.

MdanieDavis.

BelindaFreeman.

JOHN SAUNDERS, WORK EXPERIENCE CO-ORDINATOR..

CAPEHILLSBOROUGH.

At the end of October, I had the pleasure ofaccompanying my husband, Mr Hall and the Year 11 students as chaperon (chief bottle washer and cook) on their science excursion to Cape Hillsborough. To me it seemed more like a fitnesscamp, tryingtokeep up withthem.

On arrival we set up camp and then headed for the eucalyptus forest. After this we went down to the shore line to find anything that stuck on rocks or creeped across them. Unfortunately the low tide and sunset happened at the same time and wehadtopaddlethroughthe fast incoming tide to get back.

After tea we set off to do some spotlighting. The girls weren't very brave about this. I don't know what they were expecting to have jump out at them but

they did get blessed by seeing a possum doing his acrobatic stunts in a tree. The rest of the night went well, they only woke up once with their gigglingand we slept through the early morning bird watch, even Mr Hall.

Theagenda for the daywas a rainforest study followed by the mangroves then back to the rocks to complete the previous days work. So I decided to have the afternoon off and give the

mangroves a miss. A very wise choice as it turned out when later three weary, scratched and muddy girls staggered out of the swamp. Mr Hall assured them that the students of Saint Pat's College did the same study but I'm sure they thought they were the only ones to go through the ordeal. All in all I think we were pleased to get home to ahot shower and bed though it certainly was an experience not tomiss.

TheYear9/10 Geography students went on an excursion this year to investigate the sugar industry first hand. This included a visittoFolstoneFarm, complete with guided tour, demonstrations and cane billets to

munch on, a visit to Racecourse Mill

where students had to wear trendy hair nets, hard hats and goggles and a visit to the Bulk Sugar Terminal. The excursionwasenjoyed by all andprovedtobe a practical and effec-

tive learning expenence.

{Katrice wanted to take some "billets"

home for the weekend, Peter claimed it was all a "sett" up, but all agreed the"she'11 be right sweet mate"

and would like to "ratoon" next year. What a fine crop of students}. MR SAUNDERS (THE CROP KING)

Collegewhodidwascertainly rewardedfordoingso.Bronwyn Murry(11)wasoneofseven childrenoutofthe200who enteredfromtheMackayDistrict togetaplace.

Bronwynwashighlycommendedforherbookaboutcreationwrittenandillustratedfor youngchildren.Herbook,along withotherentrieswasputondisplayattheMackayCityLibrary wherethewinningswereannouncedatanofficialpresentation.

Bronwynwasalsopresentat anotheractivityarrangedforthe winnerswhenMVQ6wasthereto getthedetailsofthecompetition andlateranarticleonthecompetitionincludingapictureofBronwynandtheotherwinnersappearedintheDailyMercury. Alltheyear 6n classshared Bronwyn'sexcitementandit's likelymanyofthemwillbekeen toentersuchcompetitionsinthe future

poEMS BY GRADE 2

IwishIwereabutterfly, Thatcouldflyhighandhigh andlandsafelyinatree.

BRONWYNJOHNSON.

Ihadahungrycat, Itwasblackandwhite,Itwas veryvicious,Itclawedmeinspite.

CARMENGIBBS.

WhenIgettoschool, Igetoffthebus, Sometimesfootinpool, ButIdon'tmakeafuss. KIRSTYLENTON.

Ihadagoatoneday Andheranaway, Hecamebackin Blackandwhiteskin. DAVIDMURRY.

Thehungryfoxwasredand white, Andredandwhitewashe, Onedayheateaturtle, Andnearlyateme.

KIRSTYLENTON.

Shestoodunderthee-tree, Gigglingwithabee, Thebeetookallthehoney, Fromherlovelytree.

HEATHERMURRY.

Thefrogsatonalog, Thefrogsatonaflea, Thefrogsatonabutterfly, Andnearlysatonme.

SCOTTMcMILLAN.

Thebeeisfree, Thebeeflewinatree, Thebeecamechasingafterme. Hereandthereandeverywhere, Thehoneybeesareflying, B-z-z-z-zhoneybeeatwork.

SCOTTMcMILLAN.

Thefatcatsatonthemat, Butheaccidentallysatonhishat Thatheleftonthemat. Poorfatcat.?

Themonkeyhadtwoeyes, Themonkeyhadtwoears, Themonkeyhadtwofeet, Ionlyhadonenose, ButthenIgrewallthree.

LUKEMACFARLANE.

ANTHOLOGY INTRODUCTION

p�tryshowsusanimageoflife, 1tencouragespeopletoopen thedoorstolifeandlearning. Mostpeoplethinkthatpoetryis extremelyboring,butitisquite exciting.You,thereader,must useyourimaginationtomakeit exciting.

Thethemesinourpoemsrange frompeopletonatureandeven makebelieve.Wehavetriedto expresstheinexpressableandalso makeknownourownpersonal feelingsandemotions.Weencourageyoungpeopletoreadand introducethemselvesintothe growingbodyofpoetry.You don'thavetobeabraintowrite poetry.Allyouneedisinspiration andafreemind.Wehopeyou enjoyreadingourpoemsasmuch aswehaveenjoyedwritingthem.

BELINDAFREEMAN.

HE TRULYLIVES!

I look beyond this great big wall, That you've built upso strongandtall.

Atfirstit wasawelcomedfriend, Alone inside the hurt seems like it will never end. You put it there to guard your heart, To pull it down, you don't know how to start.

Isee your pain, Ihear your cry, Your face it smiles but it's all a lie. You stand and look and what do you see?

Is the face in the mirror reallyme?

Iknow someone - Helovesyou so, Hisheartcriesoutfor youtoknow, He will dry your tears and heal the pain, He suffered much to this one gain. He laid down His life for you my friend,

Forthe love Hehas will never end.

H i s h and outstretched He freely gives, Our Lord and Saviour truly lives!

MICHELLE GRAY.

FAMILIES. A group of people sharing their love, A special bond to keep them together, Relationshipsbetweensisterand brother, Would be stronger for you mother andfather. Relatives,familiesandfriendsall share theirlaughter, To accomplishsomethingto last foreverafter.

MELANIE DAVIS.

Money, war, a worldsobad, Godlooksatitandissad. Why are werebels?

Whydo we fight?

Wehave no reason

Tobeproudorskite.

ADAM GRACE.

ILOVETHISLANDOFMINE.

I love this Aussie land of mine

SHALL WE?

ShallwesailtogetherInthestormyoceansoflife?

Shallwewalktogether

Inthecrytogether

Throughthesadnessof life? Yes weshall,myfriend, Andweshallalsoshare Allthethingswehaveinthislife.

From the outback to thesea. This wonderful, beautiful land of contrasts - That's thelandforme. Some people say the "lucky country" And Ireallymustagree, This land of freedom of thought andaction-That'sthelandforme. I'dhatetoliveinbondage, Orbe forced to flee, From this very gloriouscountry-Thelandsospecialtome.

Yes, I love this Aussie land of mineFromtheoutbacktothesea. I'll never, never leave for long, Thelandthat'ssospecialtome.

NATASHAAHWONG. ------------

Raindropskeep fallinginmy head,

EARTH. Alittleplace, asmalllocation, Dividedbyraceandnation.

Raindropscomepouringin EverytimeI doa handstand, Raindrops keepfallingoutagain.

NATALIESKOIEN

On Friday when Pouncer was leaving he handed Porky Pig a cheque for all the damage he had doneplusextramoneyforkeeping him for the two weeks. Their cousin Tubby had come on Wednesday. Theyallgoton verywell and helped tidy the house. Everyone went shopping for fun andtoreplacethebrokenthings. Pouncersaid,"Ihopewe'11geton better next time. The money might be able to make up for it. Good-bye."

Tubby and Porky had a great week because they had the same interests.

space of his own just south of MackayinNorthQueensland.

Bert had been packed away for months and months because the lastfine, hot, windydayhadbeen months and months ago. So Bert couldn'twaituntilthenextwindy day to come so that he could go flying.

Bert like to fly high in the sky. Up, up, up through the clouds so that when he looked down there werecolouredsquaresalloverthe place. Theywerereallyfieldsand paddocksofsugar cane, grassand seas. Some were only just plain dirt but they still looked nice. When the driver, Sam, wanted to go higher, he turned the knob which put hot air in the balloon and he went higher and higher. But when he wanted to go down hepulledastringwhichletthehot air out and he went down, down, down, down, andlanded.

BERT THE BALLOON

BY:LUKEGRAINGER

A little while ago, about last Wednesday, there was a very beautiful, bright red and blue hot airballooncalledBert. Bertlived on a private property in a private

This made Bertsadbecause that meant that he got packed away again. But the trouble with Bert was that he always boasted. He boastedabouthissize. Heboasted about how high he could fly. If there was anything he could possibly boast about, Bert would boast aboutit. Perhapsitwasbecausehewassofullofhotair.

OnedayBert'sowner, Sam,saw an add in the Daily Mercury. It saidBalloonDay- 3rdofAugust.

Prizes for balloon that go the highest, lookthe bestandwinthe raceattheendoftheday.

"OhBoy!"said Sam. "Ibet Bert and Icouldwinallofthose!"

WhenthedaycameBertwonthe prize for the balloon which could gothehighestbyfar. He wonthe prize for the best looking balloon too. Soofcourse,hewasboasting allaftemoon.

Butthencametherace. Bertwas surehecouldwinthisone. Hehad a good start and he was winning half way through but suddenly a birdputaholeinBert. Thisletout all thehot air so Bert went down, down, downtotheground.

Bert had to get a horrible big black patchputonhim. Bert was veryembarrassedsohewenthome with Sam. Sam didn't have enoughmoneytofix Bertsothey didn't fly until Sam had got enoughmoneytodoso.

One day Sam fixed Bert so that hewasnew. Theywent flying so that they could see the paddocks and fields and they went up through the clouds and over the mountains to Mackay and back homeagain.

SamandBertflyquiteoftennow and Bert doesn't boast anymore. Onedayyoumightseethemupin the cloudstogetherlooking down at all the fieldsand the paddocks

on the ground below them like a patchworkquilt.

THE PIRATE'S TREASURE

BYANGELAHOOKWAY(GR.3)

Thepiratesguardedthe treasure on the island. Nobody knew where the treasure was. Miss Cohen's task was to find the treasureandthetreasuremap. On MondayMissCohenwasgoingto the pirate ship when she saw a piece of paper and it had a red cross on it. She picked up the piece of paper and to Miss Cohen's surprise it was the treasure map. She took it to the pirate ship and studied it. She thoughtshehadbettergetstraight to work to find the treasure. She looked at the clues. You go past thepalmtrees,pastthemountains, over the bridge, through the villageandanotherthreesteps. Then you dig a deep hole and you will find the load of glittering treasure!!

MYTRIPTO CAIRNS

BY: ERIKAMUEHLEGGER

I went with Mum and Kirsty to Cairns. Isawcars,shops,bikes. Isawthepoolandtheairport. We went to a friend's place. It was a bitboringatthefirsttimeinCairns butwowitwasgreat! Itwasvery hotinCairnsandwarminthepool. I like goingto Cairns. Cairns is a niceplace.

THECOUNTRY KID

BY: MellissaMollenhauer.

Nowitwasabeautifulsunnyday and Daddy was packing the car ready to move to the city. Tony feltsad.He'donlybeentothecity once and HE didn't like it much. Itwasstuffyandcrowded. Helike iton thefarmwithBettythe cow, thechickens,thepigs,andbestof allClancythehorse. Butnowthey hadto sellthemallandhe'dnever seethemagain! He'smisshisfavouriterestplace under the big old oak tree, down the back of the yard. He used to sit there and dream the most

wonderfuldreams andlook out at the vast land stretching for miles and miles. Now in the city, he couldlean onadirty,cementpost and look at the road stretch for milesandmiles.

"Tony," hismothercalled. Tony lookedupwithafright. "Don't scare me like that!" he yelled. "Come on,we're going."

"Already?"

"Yes. Iknowhowyoufeel. I'm sad too," she said hugging him tight.

"I wish I could stay forever," he said gazing out across the open land.

"Wellyoucan'tsocomeon," she said,pullinghimup.

AstheyturnedTonyhadonelast look at the beautiful life he had oncelive.

Daddy turned into the city. There were cars, trucks, buses, bikes, people and buildings everywhere. It was one huge crowd ofpeople. Daddystopped. "Is this the place where we're goingto live?"askedTony, lookingveryworried.

"Yes darling, it is. It may seem squashy for a little while, but you'11getusedtoit.Youknowwe have to move. We need more money to send you to school and feed you. Workingon afarmjust doesn't give us enough money."

There was a long pause. "Come on. Let'sstartunpacking."

"Okay,"saidTony.

"You know you are going to school tomorrow," said his Mum as she took the suitcase outof the car.

"Ohyeah. Iloveschool,"hesaid. Butthen hethought,"They'llcall menamesorteaseme. Myteacher may be mean. I don't wantto go toschool."

The next day Tony was already forschool. Hemadeallthesesilly excuses like - "Mum I swallowed a toad and I feel sick" and "Mum I'vegotahightemperature,Ithink Ishould stay home."

When Tony got to school there were thousands of kids everywhere. Itwasverydifferent fromthecountry.

WhenTonygothomehetoldhis Mum all aboutit. "...and I found a new friend. He's great. My teacherisreallynice. Evenbetter than my old teacher. And all the kidsare really nice!"

His mother smiled. She was pleased.

I WHEREAMI? I

One day I was walking down a streetwhensomethingorsomeone hit me on the head and I was knocked out. I woke up onehour later. "Where am I?" I said. I seemed to be in a truck. I moved

around and I found a torch. I switched it on and I found gold stacksofgold.

The truck stopped and two men got out and started talking to anotherman. Onemansaid, "We gotthegoldandkidnappedakid."

"Goodwork. Ihavearrangedfor a plane to take us to South Australia."

"Whataboutthekid?"

"I'll fixthatup."

I heard someone coming. He opened the door and said, "Come herekid. Get outand don't make a sound."

They got the gold out and put it intheboss'scar. Theythenputme back in the truck and went for a walk. Ifoundoutthattheydidn't even lock the door so I gotout. I saw a telephone box. I rang the policeandtoldthem where Iwas. The man said, "We'll be there soon." Igotbackin thetruckand thethreemencameback.

BeforeyoucouldsayBOO! The police turned up, helicopters and all. Oneofthemensaid,"Whaton earth ..." They arrested the robbers and took back the gold and tookme home.

about300 yearsago. Whenhe wasyoungcometswerethought to be magic, a sort of signal from the heavens that something important was to happen on Earth. Halley was the fust person to realize that comets were naturallikethemoonand the planets and that like them they revolved around the sun. Halley knew that comets returned to be sighted onearth at regular times and intervals. He realized that the comet appearingin1456, 1531and1607 was the samerevolving around the sun and he predicted the reappearance in1682. Whenit did reappear, it was named Halley's Cometinhishonour. Since Halley's Comet last visitedusin1910 ithasbeen journeying far out in the cold black depth of space, farawayfrom the warmthof the sun. Since the head and tail are made from bits of snowball that have been melted by the sunthe comet didn't have a head or tail during that time. It was just a great big snowball. Only in the last couple of years now that it's near the sun again has Halley's Comet

started to grow another head and tail.

eausedbyshrinkingof theplanet.

· JACOB AND� . ESAU.• ···

BY SARAHMOERKERKEN- GR 3

0neday inIsaac'soldagewhen hewashalfblindhecalledfor Esau. "Esau come." "Yes, father?" "As you know that I'm getting old how I want you to go and get me some beef made into thebestbowlever. AndthenIwill giveyoumyblessing."

istheclosest tothesun.Itonlyhas hot,dryland.OnMercuryyourbloodwould boil.Mercuryis heavilycratedinmany parts.It'ssurfaceis alsocrossedbylong wrinkles,thoughttobe

So Esau went and did it. Rebekah overheard this and told Jacobtomakethebestdinnerever. "Put beef in it, put some chicken in it butdon'tput pig in it. Then take it to your father." "Yes mother."

Theyhadtwopets,acatanddog, onthefannandJacobusedthedog togetchickenandhe got the cow and the vegetables too. When he had got them he saw a cane toad jumping around. He scared it away and he said, "Mum, coo,ld you help make thedinner?" "Yes Iwill."

"Now thatyouhave finished the dinner, go and get the blessing from your father." He went in to

theroomwith some animal's skin onhis armsto pretend thathewas Esau,his brother. "Father,it'sme your son." "Esau. Come in." "I have brought you your bowl of foodfor dinner." "Are youreally myson? I cantellifyou'rehairy. You are my best son. I willgive you my blessing now."He gave him the blessing. "Now I willgo father." "Okayson." Hewentout of the room. "Mum, I have the blessing now. Quick, Esau is coming back with the dinner." Jacob,runquickly.Runaway!"

Then Esau came back to have dinner with his father. "Father, it'sme,Esau." "Comein. yOU are not my son. My bestson has got theblessing,hecameinjustbefore you did." "But you feel my skin then." "It'sjustlikemybestson's skin." "Itwasmybrother -heput animal skins on." "I believe you becauseyousmelllikeyouaremy bestson.

Thatnighttheywereallverysad because Isaacwassadthathisbest sondidnotgettheblessing. Esau was sad that his brother stole the blessingandRebekahwassaidbecauseherbestsonranaway.

BYJONATHON O'BRIEN. GR4

Likethemoon,the surfaceofMercury ispittedwithcraters andcoveredindust andstones.Thereis noairorwater-itis bathedindangerous radiationfromthesun. Mercury

MACKAYCHRISTIAN COILEGE

Mos t of u tak e ad -

vanta g o o u freedom an do n ' realizehowpreciousi is Ther ar man peopl in th worl who don' hav e th

privileg e ofbeingfre e Thereareman y definitionsoffreedombased on the ph ysica l and mentalarea oflife

Ph ysica opp ress 10 n s bes descr ib ed as a restriction on th e human body T his can be done by being chained up and not being able to move out of a p l ac e without p ermission

FREEDOM IS PRECIOUS

b y th oppre s so r A n x m pl of hi ki d f oppr si on i a p who kep fiv o in an ol h se virtu gho t tow a cot ll d thei li by f o e . There ar oth ki d o f phy sca opp e sion bsid i mp i nm n t.

N b i ng a bl e to l ea a c nt r y is for of p hy i l o pp i n Th a re co u n t i in th

o rld wh p o li tica l le de estri ct pe p l f going wh they wa nt , do i g h h y

wa nt and ev e say g what the want. Prison an concen trat on cmp

w ou ld b the ul ­

ima e in taking

aw ay freedom .

Ment l oppr ss i on

can be cau ed by a person or po we

co n tro lli ng a

i ndiv duals m nd

Som e e xample of

this is a mental ill ­

ness whe re a diseas

contr ols the min d

Alco holism is also a di seas e where theal­

co ho contr ols the

mi nd. The family

alcoholic also suffers frommental oppres ion becau e i gives the family incredible heartach an puts a strain on the r latio nships

People wi h menta opp free.

Non e of are entirely free Chris is he only one tha can free u s om sin and de th. Being withot hes two things is th

BY BER