Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride 26th August

The night of the 25th was spent in antiphonal and symphonic vocal
exercises in Yass in one particular unit in a motel. The 26th dawned
wet and cold as we set out for the first school on our schedule,
Bowning Public School. This school was established in 1863 and is a
delightful little Country school. The staff and students (34) were
very welcoming. They had done the curriculum which is on the web and
were very up to date on the M D G's etc. The teachers were very
positive towards the whole exercise, saying that it gave the children
a chance to understand people who live in very different
circumstances. After the presentation and packing up the truck, we
were treated to a cup of tea or coffee, most welcome on such a cold
day. Thanks Clare, Estelle and Esma.
Following Bowning, the truck and one other vehicle moved onto
Murrumburrah. If you don't know where that is, it is on the other side
of the creek to Harden. Now if you don't know where that is, it is on
the road to Cootamundra.
All the towns and villages in this area have some attractive old
buildings and cottages. The Murrumburrah Public School was started in
1883. We had nearly all of the school except for those who had left
for a soccer tournament in Sydney. There were about 140 students
present. We had a great time. Children respond very positively to the
material and their is never any shortage of raised hands to answer
questions. In both Bowning and Murrumburrah we found one littlely in
each school who wanted to answer all the questions. We found some way
to give them a prize and their are two very pleased little boys in
Bowning and Murrumburrah tonight. One was last seen wearing a T shirt
and the other a GARR cap. Some students received a Weet Bix packet as
a prize and were told to discuss the Rickshaw and helping the poor
when they have breakfast tomorrow. Their may be some surprised parents
in the morning at the breakfast conversation.
The country here with the rain is looking a picture. The fields have
green grass and lots of sheep with lambs. Some paddocks have wheat or
canola. The creeks and low lying areas have water. Khaleque was amazed
at the number of sheep with lambs. In the Bangla language the word for
sheep is "bhera". As we are not too far from Canberra, Khaleque
thought that was an appropriate name. He must know history because the
national capital did start as a sheep station!
Off to Cootamundra Public School in the morning and then onto Gundagai
for the night.