Geraldton

After a nice leisurely start to the day, I was greeted by a reporter from the local newspaper. She interviewed me for about twenty minutes about my organization, IAHCE, and about my trip. (And yes I know there is a blob on my camera lens, but I can't seem to remove it and I don't have time to crop the pictures.)

Heather took me to the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, which the local Rotary Club had established. It stands on Mt. Scott, overlooking the port of Geraldton. The ship had been on patrol off the coast of Australia during WWII when it was sunk by a German ship disguised as a merchant ship. The site of the wreck was unknown for decades. This site was dedicated in 1998. The Dome of Souls was inspired by a flock of seagulls that flew over the dedication ceremony. Each seagull on the dome symbolizes one of the 645 sailors who were lost. 

Nearby is a statue of a woman looking out to sea, waiting for her loved one to return home. Although the statue was placed before the discovery of the wreck in 2008, her eyes were gazing directly to that site. Isn't that amazing?

Each seagull is touching the others.

This fountain was installed after the wreck of the ship was found. Surrounding it are images of seagulls, once again symbolizing the lost sailors...all but one. The last seagull representing the last sailor, pinpoints the location of the wreck off the shore of Australia, which is shown in red. The coordinates are noted at the bottom of the pool. 

This is a replica of the bow of the HMAS Sydney II. The flag on top had to be put up and taken down each day as the law required a flag to be lighted at night. It only took two weeks of doing that before they decided to install a light!

https://www.hmassydneymemorialgeraldton.com.au/

Our next stop was at the Meekatharra School of the Air. Since some children in Australia live on isolated stations, they get their schooling from "Kindy" to 6th grade through the School of the Air. (After that, they go to a boarding school.) This school serves 32 students at the moment and has 4 teachers. The teachers "hold class" for one grade level at a time each school day, for one hour at a time. Parents do additional instruction or the station hires a tutor. 

In the early days, the lessons were delivered through radio. At the bottom left, is an example of a pedal that was used to charge that era's radio. The above picture shows the various radios used since the beginning of the air schools, which started in 1951. Today, the students are supplied with computers and the internet, and (I think) a printer.

Prince Charles visited the school in 1979, as evidenced by his signature in the guest book and the photo below.

The teacher enters a studio where he/she video conferences with the students in the grade he/she is teaching for that hour. Students are sent a packet of lessons and all needed materials every three weeks. There are the basic subjects, of course, but students also receive additional units in subjects such as art or physical education.

In addition to the subject packets that are sent out, the librarian sends out boxes of books catered to each student's interests.

The students gather periodically to meet with the other children at the Geraldton location for special instruction and a camp filled with activities, sports and play. Each student receives two home visits each (semester or school year...I didn't listen very well!).  

http://www.australian-children.com/About_The_School_of_the_Air.html 

Around the corner was the Bluff Point CWA headquarters. Members from Bluff Point, Champion Bay, Ajana-Binnu and Northampton all met for lunch. (Sorry, ladies, if I forgot to mention a group!) I had a wonderful time chatting with everyone. Afterwards, I gave a little talk about my organization, the state of Illinois and my life, followed by a lot of interesting questions. They were curious about the activities the Illinois HCE members did. I had a little book of photographs from the units from around the state to pass around.

Look at the wonderful foods I had to choose from! Yum!

The last activity for the day was a tour of the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier. This church was designed by John Cyril Hawes...the man who designed those other churches I showed in the last post! The more I learned about this man, the more interested I am! Mr. Hawes became an architect, and then an Anglican Deacon. He later converted to Catholicism and became a priest, and then later a bishop. 

Fr. Hawes designed and built many churches in this area. This interior was painted to resemble marble work in churches in Europe. In the past few years, a multi-million dollar renovation was completed on the building.

The crypt.

An Australian exit sign showing me how to get out of the crypt.

One of many stained glass windows designed by a lady whose name I haven't found yet. The unique thing was that these windows open. In Australia, you need to open the windows!

https://www.geraldtondiocese.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=11