VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies

Teachers completing paperwork for VCE programs:
All students MUST complete a CONSENT form; these may be brought to Rubicon at the time of the program.
A summary of all dietary requirements for Staff and Students MUST be submitted at least two
weeks prior to the program.
A Medical Summary must be provided to the Rubicon staff member at the time of the program; a Rubicon Medical Form in not compulsory. IF there are any significant Medical issues for any staff
or students, please contact your Rubicon coordinator prior to arrival, with the details.
HORSERIDING: those students and staff participating in our Horse Riding activity MUST complete the Horse Riding Waiver form - see Forms.

To compliment and support work requirements for VCE Outdoor and Environmental Education Rubicon can develop a program that dovetails into your curriculum. The following are examples of VCE Programs.

• Unit 1 - Understanding nature
• Unit 2 - Environmental Impacts
• Unit 3 - Relationships with Outdoor Environments
• Unit 4 - the Future of Natural Environments

Unit 1 - Understanding nature

• The relationship between Humans and Nature
• Natural Environments: types, characteristics and functioning

A River Journey :

To assist schools in their study of this unit Rubicon Outdoor Centre is offering a journey on the Goulburn River.

The Goulburn River is a major artery of the Victorian river system. While rafting and later canoeing down the river, students have an ideal opportunity to explore this environment, its characteristics and functioning. The two trips offer very different perspectives: one with high volume water flow, the second during non-irrigation season and therefore low volume water.

Trip 1. Rafting the Goulburn at high water level in Term 1. A one day or overnight trip where we camp by the river or stay at Rubicon Outdoor Centre.

Trip 2. Canoeing the Goulburn at low water level in Term 2. A one day or overnight trip, camping by the river or staying at Rubicon Outdoor Centre is what we recommend.

We can provide experiential examples of :

• Specific aspects and characteristics of the river (history, ecology, social and economic)
• Access and its impact on this river
• Minimum impact traveling
• Ways that the river can be encountered (resource, recreation, adventure and as a study site)
• Basic preparation for the trip
• Effects of short and long term natural changes on the environment
• Other areas as requested

Suggested Preparation, Follow up and Resources :

• Write trip intention notes, with escape routes
• Use of camping equipment, e.g. tents, stoves, waterproofing
• Investigation of literature on the Goulburn River; Guest speakers
• Journal of observations

Unit 2- Environmental impacts

• Human Relationships with Nature
• Human Impact on Nature

Winter Alpine Experience:
Lake Mountain has more visitors than any other cross-country resort in Australia. It rates in the top ten busiest day visitor resorts in the world.

This environment provides an ideal venue for exploring human impacts on, and relationships with, nature.

Trip 1. This skiing trip to Lake Mountain in Term 3 can be one or more days staying at Rubicon or camping out.

We can provide experiential examples of:

• Minimal impact travel
• The effects of technology on a skiing experience
• Commercialization of the skiing experience
• Environmental alterations to accommodate skiers and snow visitors
• Codes of Practice in a ski resort

Suggested Preparation, Follow up and Resources :

• Snow Safe video
• Camping skills e.g. tent pitching, stoves, camp cooking
• Journal of observations
• Guest Speakers from such bodies as: Alpine Commission, DNRE and Ski Patrol

Unit 3- Relationships with Outdoor Environments

• Changing Perceptions
• Contemporary views

The Royston Ranges :

The nearby Royston Ranges have a colorful history that is ideal for studying how people relate to outdoor environments. These ranges can be explored via a medium of your choice: mountain bikes, horses and/or on foot.

Based at our environmental outstation, Royston House, you can explore the remnants of logging operations and their communities, pre Black Friday bush fire. Recent logging coups and current practices provide evidence of one contemporary human/nature relationship.

The valley also houses Victoria's first hydroelectricity scheme; built in the 1920's and still in use today it is worthy of exploration and discussion.

We can provide experiential examples of :

• Relationships with the land as expressed by Indigenous cultures before European settlement
• European cultures' relationship with the land in the Royston ranges from early settlement to present
• Contemporary views of the Royston ranges from a variety of perspectives: loggers, naturalists, adventurers and managers

Suggested Preparation, Follow up and Resources :

• Rails to Rubicon. Peter Evans: Australian Print Group 1994
• Rails to Rubicon Video Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum
• Ordeal by Fire. W.S.Noble: Hawthorn Press1977

Unit 4- The Future of Natural Environments

• Interaction with the Outdoors
• Sustainability of the Outdoor Environment

The Cathedral Range :

A climbing trip to the Cathedral Range State Park provides an ideal opportunity to explore the future of this natural environment. Its proximity to Melbourne and its attraction for recreational activity creates a heavily used environment. Investigation of rock climbing and bush walking practices, current legislative policy and future guidelines are all very pertinent to this park.

Topics we can cover :

• Conflicts of interest for users of the Cathedral Range State Park
• Sustainability of the natural environment given current usage
• Current management practices for conservation of the natural environment

Suggested Preparation, Follow up and Resources :

• Readings of current Park Guidelines, DNRE Management Plan
• Readings of current Bush walking practices
• Readings of current Rock climbing practices
• DNRE Guest Speaker
• Current projects from Friends of Cathedrals

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