The Great Barrier Reef in Caines

Out of the great grey skies, as the rain desends in the Monsoon season of Northern Australia, we make our way on a small boat to the two destinations of Michalmus Cay and...................

Hastings reef out in the oceans outer reef

And so we snorkeled and smiles in awe at all the varieties of fish and coral and of the incredible vastness of the ocean.

And we relaxed in the warm ocean waters.

Santa in OZ

One Christmas eve, Santa flies in the air in a big red sleigh pulled by eight brown reindeer. BUT when Santa hits the Aussie coast, 8 white Boomers pull the way. And when Santa swoops down with his Christmas magic he'll be delivering presents to kids. First he goes to Queensland, then to New south Wales. He heads up north with daylight on his trail. One last stop to the top he flies away yelling "G'day to all and to you all a good night". With a ray of sun he disappears and the good little children wake with a start while Santa is sleeping and snoring about.                                                                                      BY     LEONA

When Santa flies into Australia, he switches to a surf board and gets on his BONDS knickers and rash guard. He replaces his fur hat for a sun hat and cuts his beard short and puts sunscreen on his rosy cheeks. He surfs down the streets dropping presents in the chimneys that drop to the Christmas trees. To Sydney, Brisbane and Byron Bay and many more places. Some roofs he needed a can opener because the
roofs were made of tin. Then when he has reached all the houses he yells to all of OZ "G'day to you all and to all Aussies a good night"                                                                    BY  JUDE

Surfing Aussie waves

The beaches are varied and vast with lots of waves. It is great to watch the changes that occur between high tides and low tides.
Here are the safety rules we have learned about the ocean waters while on their trip and surf school.
1. Swim between the flags where the lifeguards are present.
2. Swim where there are other people present.
3. Always use sunscreen.
4. Swim parallel with the shore if you get stuck out. If will drift you back to shore.
5. As a wave approaches you must choose to:
        swim under it
        swim through it
        ride with it
6. Watch for oyster shells, Ouch!!! Both Leona and Jude have had their feet cut up.
7. Watch for jellyfish, they can sting you badly.
8. Swim away from rocks formations present in the water.
9. Watch for other surfers, boards, and swimmers.

The Most Eastern Point in Australia

A Poem by Jude


Today we went to Byron Bay
A place I'd  like to stay and play.

The cool ocean water tickles my toes
I'd be a fool not to go.
The wind flew from the windows and bellowed my scarf
tied upon my head
 A new silk dress of brown and gold
not green, not red
 We saw a painting, my sister and I
"The painting of Byron beach" I cry
 The shops on each street so crowded and packed
My tummy grumbled from food that I lacked
My Nanny in a hundred swimsuits
Maybe even more!
But after swim suit 44, there was nothing left in the store
So lunch it was, cheese sandwich or two
A little apple, a little carrot, too much for just two
After that my Auntie, Mama and sister set off for a shop
and lots of people not one in a row
While I stayed behind to run on the beach to and fro
Then we packed not leaving a tiny little snack
And went off to a lighthouse, down windy steps and twisty roads
to find a blue tongue lizard with an Ice Cream Cone

We saw an army helicopter flying close by
we saw the view and headed back
A spectacular view that had no weakness, no lack

We went on the road to a beach again
with the waves I would pretend
I was an Olympic Swimmer
Then home again, home again
And Mama says to write a page
"A poem" I say
So here I am, my poems complete
My Rhyming unique
My best has been done
The end to everyone.

Leona is 12