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Student Journals
Tamara Dorrington
Age: 16
Sponsor:
School: Saint Stephens College
City: Gold Coast, Australia
Biography:
G'Day All!
As you have probably already read, my name is Tamara Dorrington! Im 16 years old, go to Saint Stephens College and live in Queensland, Australia! My life here in Aus, i assume, is like most other kids. I go to school, spend time with my friends, nag my parents and annoy my brothers. i moved around alot as a kid because of my dad's job and now live on the Gold Coast way out beyond the 'Black stump' in a little place called Coomera. Usually i like to spend time riding my horse, chilling by the beach, surfing and hanging out with my mates.... but then again who doesn’t!
Apart from that my life at the moment is pretty much the same old routine i have followed for the past 12 years of my life! School... school... oh and don’t forget more school! (need i say more) Lucky for me i go to a great college where the students and staff are really friendly and supportive . (and no i am not getting paid to post an add for the school :) It was actually through my biology teacher that i was given the opportunity to take part in this years youth leadership camp in Canada. I was lucky enough to be given the honour of being selected and although travelling so far from home is a daunting thought, i cannot wait to meet the rest of the crew when i arrive in Churchill!
It may sound like the biggest miss universe quote!... but i truly believe in our power to make a change and assist in the conservation of our environment and the precious species within it!... There i said it! :)
Being a part of this program has given me the chance to be that change and eventually... to inspire it in others. May sound corny but its true!
In addition, my selection into this camp has opened up many doors to opportunities i would have never believed possible! i am currently working with two amazing guys from Sea World on the Gold Coast on their Polar Bear program. I work there as a volunteer and do many things behind the scenes under the supervision of Steve and Sebastian (the keepers) So far it has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and something that money could never buy! I have fed polar bears, swam with sharks, patted dolphins, kissed seals and hugged penguins!... and that was all in my fourth week! I can only imagine what is to come when we arrive in Canada!
I'm so chuffed to have been given such opportunities and hope i can use these experiences to make the change i spoke about before.... ive read the bio's and although my background is alot different from most students participating, it sounds like we share the same interests and ultimately... the same vision for the future.
Canada is a long way from Australia, both goegraphically and culturally but i know this will be the experience of a life time and i cant wait to get started!
Sponsor:
School: Saint Stephens College
City: Gold Coast, Australia
Biography:
G'Day All!
As you have probably already read, my name is Tamara Dorrington! Im 16 years old, go to Saint Stephens College and live in Queensland, Australia! My life here in Aus, i assume, is like most other kids. I go to school, spend time with my friends, nag my parents and annoy my brothers. i moved around alot as a kid because of my dad's job and now live on the Gold Coast way out beyond the 'Black stump' in a little place called Coomera. Usually i like to spend time riding my horse, chilling by the beach, surfing and hanging out with my mates.... but then again who doesn’t!
Apart from that my life at the moment is pretty much the same old routine i have followed for the past 12 years of my life! School... school... oh and don’t forget more school! (need i say more) Lucky for me i go to a great college where the students and staff are really friendly and supportive . (and no i am not getting paid to post an add for the school :) It was actually through my biology teacher that i was given the opportunity to take part in this years youth leadership camp in Canada. I was lucky enough to be given the honour of being selected and although travelling so far from home is a daunting thought, i cannot wait to meet the rest of the crew when i arrive in Churchill!
It may sound like the biggest miss universe quote!... but i truly believe in our power to make a change and assist in the conservation of our environment and the precious species within it!... There i said it! :)
Being a part of this program has given me the chance to be that change and eventually... to inspire it in others. May sound corny but its true!
In addition, my selection into this camp has opened up many doors to opportunities i would have never believed possible! i am currently working with two amazing guys from Sea World on the Gold Coast on their Polar Bear program. I work there as a volunteer and do many things behind the scenes under the supervision of Steve and Sebastian (the keepers) So far it has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and something that money could never buy! I have fed polar bears, swam with sharks, patted dolphins, kissed seals and hugged penguins!... and that was all in my fourth week! I can only imagine what is to come when we arrive in Canada!
I'm so chuffed to have been given such opportunities and hope i can use these experiences to make the change i spoke about before.... ive read the bio's and although my background is alot different from most students participating, it sounds like we share the same interests and ultimately... the same vision for the future.
Canada is a long way from Australia, both goegraphically and culturally but i know this will be the experience of a life time and i cant wait to get started!
Journal Entries
Sunday October 8, 2006, 3:19 pm
FINAL ENTRY
Well today is my last day in Canada with the crew! (sniff) Its been the most awesome experience and im sad to see it end. Ive met so many awesome people and i will miss them so much!
ive come away from this experience with so much knowledge about myself, my ability to make a change and contribute to the world in a positive manner! This has been one of the most significant moments of my life and i know i will remember the things i did and the people i met for a very long time to come. This week has been very intense but my work has only just begun... i hope i can make the difference and live up to our newly formed mission statement...
"educating to inspire passion and the desire for change through concervation and understanding of our environment"
i cant wait to get started!
Thank you for your support and encouragment everyone!
Until next time!...
Well today is my last day in Canada with the crew! (sniff) Its been the most awesome experience and im sad to see it end. Ive met so many awesome people and i will miss them so much!
ive come away from this experience with so much knowledge about myself, my ability to make a change and contribute to the world in a positive manner! This has been one of the most significant moments of my life and i know i will remember the things i did and the people i met for a very long time to come. This week has been very intense but my work has only just begun... i hope i can make the difference and live up to our newly formed mission statement...
"educating to inspire passion and the desire for change through concervation and understanding of our environment"
i cant wait to get started!
Thank you for your support and encouragment everyone!
Until next time!...
Friday October 6, 2006, 5:17 pm
SEVENTH ENTRY
Hello dear reader!
You cannot imagine how amazing today was! I have the feeling that i tend to repeat myself alot when it comes to my journals but i must reinforce how awesome this experience has been! today we went on a helicopter and flew about 20 minutes to a denning site on a tundra flat. We each had the opportunity to crawl on our stomachs into the side of the hill where the burrow was. It was really interesting to get into the mindset of the mother Polar bear and it gave us a real insight into the birthing process.
After our amazing morning we sat down together in the lounge and compiled a mission statement that outlined our views and goals upon our return to the real world. It was really interesting to hear peoples ideas and discuss a common set of goals because it made me realize how different we all are but appreciative at how we could overcome that to come to better alternatives. As my father would say, we worked together to achieve synergy rather than compromise, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
We discussed some strategies to get our message across to the public and these are some of the things we came up with:...
1. making various presentations at schools around the area
2. writing articles to various newspapers and magazines
3. doing a variety of interviews with radios and TV stations
4. encourage change within immediate community of friends and family.
So there you go :) i sure have a lot to do when i get home!
any way id better get off and let another student do their journal!
Well ttfn (ta ta for now)
oxoxo
P.S snow is forecast for tonight!!! WOOOOO!
Hello dear reader!
You cannot imagine how amazing today was! I have the feeling that i tend to repeat myself alot when it comes to my journals but i must reinforce how awesome this experience has been! today we went on a helicopter and flew about 20 minutes to a denning site on a tundra flat. We each had the opportunity to crawl on our stomachs into the side of the hill where the burrow was. It was really interesting to get into the mindset of the mother Polar bear and it gave us a real insight into the birthing process.
After our amazing morning we sat down together in the lounge and compiled a mission statement that outlined our views and goals upon our return to the real world. It was really interesting to hear peoples ideas and discuss a common set of goals because it made me realize how different we all are but appreciative at how we could overcome that to come to better alternatives. As my father would say, we worked together to achieve synergy rather than compromise, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
We discussed some strategies to get our message across to the public and these are some of the things we came up with:...
1. making various presentations at schools around the area
2. writing articles to various newspapers and magazines
3. doing a variety of interviews with radios and TV stations
4. encourage change within immediate community of friends and family.
So there you go :) i sure have a lot to do when i get home!
any way id better get off and let another student do their journal!
Well ttfn (ta ta for now)
oxoxo
P.S snow is forecast for tonight!!! WOOOOO!
Thursday October 5, 2006, 6:15 pm
ENTRY SEVEN
WOW talk about intense! today's highlight was the video conference we had with Mapleton elementary school. We spent most of the day preparing for their questions, thus i have little to report about in this journal. All i can say is that i was amazed and impressed by the knowledge and depth to the questions asked by such young children. They all surprised us with some impromptu questions and i was given the dubious task of giving the answer to one of these. You would be surprised at how intimidating year 4 students are! :)
tonight will be another late night im sure! its our second last night out here on the lodges :( (sniff) so we are sure to be making the most of it! well until tomorrow then folks
ttfn (ta ta for now)
oxoxox
WOW talk about intense! today's highlight was the video conference we had with Mapleton elementary school. We spent most of the day preparing for their questions, thus i have little to report about in this journal. All i can say is that i was amazed and impressed by the knowledge and depth to the questions asked by such young children. They all surprised us with some impromptu questions and i was given the dubious task of giving the answer to one of these. You would be surprised at how intimidating year 4 students are! :)
tonight will be another late night im sure! its our second last night out here on the lodges :( (sniff) so we are sure to be making the most of it! well until tomorrow then folks
ttfn (ta ta for now)
oxoxox
Wednesday October 4, 2006, 9:37 pm
ENTRY SIX
Dear reader
Today was pretty laid back compared to the jam packed schedule we have run for the past few days. I slept in late and missed half of breakfast due to a late night up viewing the northern lights! Not much to complain about hey! ? The rest of the day was basically spent on the tundra buggy viewing bears and presenting chapters out of our global warming impacts book… now I’m not really one to get excited about presenting in front of a crowd but I can honestly tell you, the presentations made on the buggy were not only informative and interactive, they had us all rolling around of the floor with laughter!
Apart from that, today’s discussions on presenting information has really made me think about my journal entries and what type of message I want to send across. It has made me think about those who read my blogs and what impact my words may have on them. I don’t mean to be over dramatic or give to much credit to my own work… after all, for all I know I could be writing to myself right now ! lol... is this making scene? I don’t know! Its been a pretty long day! I guess what im trying to say is this…
Participating in this leadership camp is an amazing once in a life time opportunity and one that I will remember for ever! But when I really think about it I realize that my experience would count for nothing if it weren’t for the understanding and support of those around me, both at home in Aus and around the world! Whether you are passionate about the environment, like reading about polar bears or just stumbled upon this site by accident, i hope that the words from myself and my fellow studens makes a difference to you. Reading these blogs is the first step and i think it takes a special type of person to take such an intrest in such an important yet sometimes avoided issue. We all know about saving the environment but few actually act upon it....
Congradulations dear reader because you are one of a few! i hope our writings are of intrest to you because i sure am passionate about it and so are the rest of the crew!
well this blog has been sufficiently long and boring :)
hope your all still awake!
well ttfn (ta ta for now)
OXOXO
Dear reader
Today was pretty laid back compared to the jam packed schedule we have run for the past few days. I slept in late and missed half of breakfast due to a late night up viewing the northern lights! Not much to complain about hey! ? The rest of the day was basically spent on the tundra buggy viewing bears and presenting chapters out of our global warming impacts book… now I’m not really one to get excited about presenting in front of a crowd but I can honestly tell you, the presentations made on the buggy were not only informative and interactive, they had us all rolling around of the floor with laughter!
Apart from that, today’s discussions on presenting information has really made me think about my journal entries and what type of message I want to send across. It has made me think about those who read my blogs and what impact my words may have on them. I don’t mean to be over dramatic or give to much credit to my own work… after all, for all I know I could be writing to myself right now ! lol... is this making scene? I don’t know! Its been a pretty long day! I guess what im trying to say is this…
Participating in this leadership camp is an amazing once in a life time opportunity and one that I will remember for ever! But when I really think about it I realize that my experience would count for nothing if it weren’t for the understanding and support of those around me, both at home in Aus and around the world! Whether you are passionate about the environment, like reading about polar bears or just stumbled upon this site by accident, i hope that the words from myself and my fellow studens makes a difference to you. Reading these blogs is the first step and i think it takes a special type of person to take such an intrest in such an important yet sometimes avoided issue. We all know about saving the environment but few actually act upon it....
Congradulations dear reader because you are one of a few! i hope our writings are of intrest to you because i sure am passionate about it and so are the rest of the crew!
well this blog has been sufficiently long and boring :)
hope your all still awake!
well ttfn (ta ta for now)
OXOXO
Tuesday October 3, 2006, 7:12 pm
ENTRY FIVE
Today has been to jam pact to fit into the next few paragraphs! It was by far the best day on camp so far! we woke this morning as early as ever! before sunrise. After breakfast we borded the Buggy and set off on a tour around the tundra.
From that point on, my neck was saw from twisting this way and that. We saw a ptarmigan (an Artic turkey), an artic fox, a white hair and finally our first sighting of a wild Polar Bear! It was a male sub adult about 400kg lying at the side of the track. We parked and had lunch in the buggy beside him. Finally after a full day of exploring the tundra we settled at our lodge and settled into our buncks. Just as we were about to sit down for dinner we spotted a mother and her two cubs in the distance comming towards us.
Not only did we spend luch with a male polar bear, we also spend dinner with a mother and her cub right outside our window! i have the most amazing photos to show everyone at home!
I am having the most amazing time! this experience has taught me so much already and i know i will come out of this knowing and understanding things i never believed possible! its really clear tonight so we have a really good chance of seeing the northern lights!!!!! WOW!
some day EH! bet your all really jealous! lol
well ttfn (ta ta for now)
oxoxox
Today has been to jam pact to fit into the next few paragraphs! It was by far the best day on camp so far! we woke this morning as early as ever! before sunrise. After breakfast we borded the Buggy and set off on a tour around the tundra.
From that point on, my neck was saw from twisting this way and that. We saw a ptarmigan (an Artic turkey), an artic fox, a white hair and finally our first sighting of a wild Polar Bear! It was a male sub adult about 400kg lying at the side of the track. We parked and had lunch in the buggy beside him. Finally after a full day of exploring the tundra we settled at our lodge and settled into our buncks. Just as we were about to sit down for dinner we spotted a mother and her two cubs in the distance comming towards us.
Not only did we spend luch with a male polar bear, we also spend dinner with a mother and her cub right outside our window! i have the most amazing photos to show everyone at home!
I am having the most amazing time! this experience has taught me so much already and i know i will come out of this knowing and understanding things i never believed possible! its really clear tonight so we have a really good chance of seeing the northern lights!!!!! WOW!
some day EH! bet your all really jealous! lol
well ttfn (ta ta for now)
oxoxox
Monday October 2, 2006, 5:51 pm
ENTRY FOUR
Today was so busy! im exhausted already and its only 12:30!! today we up at 5:45am and all those who know me well can understand what a big deal that is for me! i can count the number of sun rises ive seen on one hand and today made the all time third on my extensive list of occasions!
first up was breakfast, followed by a bus driven tour around the town of Churchill. We visited the Polar Bear detention enclosure, the Churhill northern studies centre and the parks canada information board! so much to process and so much to see and do! we were all trying hard to keep our eyes open by the end of it. We were met with a quandry... So interesting... but sooo early! Finally we were allowed to make our way home where we were to complete our journal entries... we thought all the excitment was over for the day but we were again proven wrong! just as we turned the last corner to the hotel Joseph (the french Manitoban student) was almost hit by one of the only Churchill cars we had seen on the road that day! i guess people drive fast every where... even the polar bear capital of the world :)
well i guess i'll catch you tommorow for the next exciting installment my life!
ttfn (ta ta for now) :)
oxoxo
Today was so busy! im exhausted already and its only 12:30!! today we up at 5:45am and all those who know me well can understand what a big deal that is for me! i can count the number of sun rises ive seen on one hand and today made the all time third on my extensive list of occasions!
first up was breakfast, followed by a bus driven tour around the town of Churchill. We visited the Polar Bear detention enclosure, the Churhill northern studies centre and the parks canada information board! so much to process and so much to see and do! we were all trying hard to keep our eyes open by the end of it. We were met with a quandry... So interesting... but sooo early! Finally we were allowed to make our way home where we were to complete our journal entries... we thought all the excitment was over for the day but we were again proven wrong! just as we turned the last corner to the hotel Joseph (the french Manitoban student) was almost hit by one of the only Churchill cars we had seen on the road that day! i guess people drive fast every where... even the polar bear capital of the world :)
well i guess i'll catch you tommorow for the next exciting installment my life!
ttfn (ta ta for now) :)
oxoxo
Sunday October 1, 2006, 4:50 pm
ENTRY THREE
This is a shout out to all the crew back in Aus!!! (snif) I'm not usually one to get home sick... after all i have two brothers at home to put up with ;) but these past few days have really made me appreciate my family and friends... and it hasn't even been a week yet!.. i need to toughen up!
Today we left the Four Points Hotel in Winnipeg and travelled on a 30 seat plane to Churchil, the polar bear capital of the world! WOW! talk about different to what im used to! Churchil has about 800 perminent residence and is not accessible to the rest of Canada, except by plane.
Today was 5 degrees and raining! I used my Anaconda snow jacket for the first time and went for a stroll throught the streets of Churchil. Everything is new to me! the trucks, the houses, even the beds! tonight i will be sleeping in a bed that pulls out from a space in the wall! wierd!... as my mother would say "small things amuse small minds i guess" :)
any way! i'd better go coz we're off to dinner at the local bar! but before i leave id like to post a note to two special people in particular... i hope Steve and Sebastian (the Polar Bear keepers back in Australia) are having a good time and managing the bears without me! i hope all is going well and i cant wait to get back and share all of my awsome experiences with you!
Well thats it for me now! i need to stop blabbing on so much :)
ttfm ( ta ta for now!)
oxoxox
This is a shout out to all the crew back in Aus!!! (snif) I'm not usually one to get home sick... after all i have two brothers at home to put up with ;) but these past few days have really made me appreciate my family and friends... and it hasn't even been a week yet!.. i need to toughen up!
Today we left the Four Points Hotel in Winnipeg and travelled on a 30 seat plane to Churchil, the polar bear capital of the world! WOW! talk about different to what im used to! Churchil has about 800 perminent residence and is not accessible to the rest of Canada, except by plane.
Today was 5 degrees and raining! I used my Anaconda snow jacket for the first time and went for a stroll throught the streets of Churchil. Everything is new to me! the trucks, the houses, even the beds! tonight i will be sleeping in a bed that pulls out from a space in the wall! wierd!... as my mother would say "small things amuse small minds i guess" :)
any way! i'd better go coz we're off to dinner at the local bar! but before i leave id like to post a note to two special people in particular... i hope Steve and Sebastian (the Polar Bear keepers back in Australia) are having a good time and managing the bears without me! i hope all is going well and i cant wait to get back and share all of my awsome experiences with you!
Well thats it for me now! i need to stop blabbing on so much :)
ttfm ( ta ta for now!)
oxoxox
Saturday September 30, 2006, 5:40 pm
ENTRY TWO
G’Day all!
Day two of leadership camp was my first opportunity to miss my friends and family! Even so the people here are so great and so FUN! I am at this very moment im sitting at the laptop in a hotel room as Shelby, Jesse, Patrick and Candace have a pillow fight around me. We had three presentations today. We learnt about the mercury contribution to Global Warming and its effects on the indigionous people of the Arctic. We also were introduced to the medicine wheel. It represents the elements of time, space and place within the world, focusing on balance and the inderdependance of spiritual, physical and mental elements. Very interesting! Im sure my mother would love this stuff! After that we went on a tour of Winnepeg and I came to the conclusion that Canada is a lot like Canberra! At least in climate. Believe it or not its not that cold! I spent most of my day in a T shirt just like home! Oh well im sure I will have enough cold days to come to last me a life time!
Write ya later EH!
Luv ya oxoxo
G’Day all!
Day two of leadership camp was my first opportunity to miss my friends and family! Even so the people here are so great and so FUN! I am at this very moment im sitting at the laptop in a hotel room as Shelby, Jesse, Patrick and Candace have a pillow fight around me. We had three presentations today. We learnt about the mercury contribution to Global Warming and its effects on the indigionous people of the Arctic. We also were introduced to the medicine wheel. It represents the elements of time, space and place within the world, focusing on balance and the inderdependance of spiritual, physical and mental elements. Very interesting! Im sure my mother would love this stuff! After that we went on a tour of Winnepeg and I came to the conclusion that Canada is a lot like Canberra! At least in climate. Believe it or not its not that cold! I spent most of my day in a T shirt just like home! Oh well im sure I will have enough cold days to come to last me a life time!
Write ya later EH!
Luv ya oxoxo
Saturday September 30, 2006, 5:39 pm
ENTRY ONE
Traveling to Canada has taught me three things so far!
1. The fun of traveling overseas in a plane quickly wears off
2. Singing out load to one’s I pod is not advisable, especially if those around you are trying to sleep
3. And the water in the toilets in the Northern hemisphere really does spin backwards!
The trip was long and well… long! 18 hours in the air with a midnight stop over in Honolulu and a 4 hour stop over in Vancouver. Emily, Kerrie and I traveled over 2 continents, and passed through 2 time lines in the process. We arrived in Winnipeg at 7.30pm (Canadian time) jetlagged, sore and terribly excited! We were soon checked into our rooms and fast asleep in our soft double beds. First official day at camp was basically spent welcoming the rest of the crew to the Hotel. Slowly but surely kids from California, Baltimore, Churchill and Demark filtered into the lobby looking as tired and shabby as we felt the night before. The rest of the day was taken up with introductions and ground rule talks. We all went to bed very tired but very happy to be here!
Till next time folks!
Oxoxox
P.S Betros Brothers Rule!!! (Personal joke… never mind)
Traveling to Canada has taught me three things so far!
1. The fun of traveling overseas in a plane quickly wears off
2. Singing out load to one’s I pod is not advisable, especially if those around you are trying to sleep
3. And the water in the toilets in the Northern hemisphere really does spin backwards!
The trip was long and well… long! 18 hours in the air with a midnight stop over in Honolulu and a 4 hour stop over in Vancouver. Emily, Kerrie and I traveled over 2 continents, and passed through 2 time lines in the process. We arrived in Winnipeg at 7.30pm (Canadian time) jetlagged, sore and terribly excited! We were soon checked into our rooms and fast asleep in our soft double beds. First official day at camp was basically spent welcoming the rest of the crew to the Hotel. Slowly but surely kids from California, Baltimore, Churchill and Demark filtered into the lobby looking as tired and shabby as we felt the night before. The rest of the day was taken up with introductions and ground rule talks. We all went to bed very tired but very happy to be here!
Till next time folks!
Oxoxox
P.S Betros Brothers Rule!!! (Personal joke… never mind)