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MIDDLE HEAD As a NSW DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION FIELD STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE

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MIDDLE HEAD As a NSW DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION FIELD STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE MIDDLE HEAD as a NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FIELD STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE The NSW Department of Education has 22 Environmental Education Centres offering curriculum based field work experiences to help students and teachers in a wide variety of subjects. The Centres deliver innovative and contextually relevant teaching and learning programs. Programs are tailored to fit the needs of students and the curriculum These centres usually cater for all NSW Department of Education Schools K-12. My late husband, Donald Henry Goodsir OAM, worked for the Education Department for over 40 years and was the Director of Schools responsible for Environmental Education at one stage in his career. He personally established 3 such Field Studies Centres – the Warrumbungle Centre outside of Coonabarabran, Botany Bay and Observatory Hill. Each Field Study Centre is unique and located in a specific environment. A Middle Head location would offer students from all of NSW an opportunity to focus especially on the early settlement of Sydney Harbour, Australia’s military history, indigenous culture, Sydney Harbour’s marine environment and geography. This would be particularly beneficial for students from the western suburbs and country locations. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As a trained teacher of Geography and History working with the NSW Department of Education for over 30 years, I can recognize the enormous educational potential of this Middle Head site to allow students to physically walk through time. It is a ready-made indoor/outdoor classroom covering a range of curriculum areas. The educational benefits for all students arising from such an experience would be invaluable especially to those who live far removed from this area. MIDDLE HEAD, GEORGES HEAD AND GEORGES HEIGHTS Middle Head and Georges Heights is one of Sydney’s most striking urban parklands - historically, environmentally and culturally unique to Sydney and indeed Australia. It has a combination of natural and cultural heritage and is largely undeveloped with a low-key character. On this headland, not only is there three millennia of indigenous history, but it also is geographically situated opposite Sydney Heads on a spectacular drowned river valley. It has 200 years of built military heritage being formerly occupied by six defence bases. At present jurisdiction over Middle Head is divided between two government authorities – the State NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Commonwealth Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. However, both these authorities are committed to work collaboratively particularly in an educational capacity. This headland would make an ideal location for another Field Studies Centre covering curriculum areas of Indigenous history, military history, geography with native bush vegetation and tracks and science at the prestigious Sydney Institute of Marine Studies Discovery Centre already established at Chowder Bay. 10 TERMINAL REGIMENT MILITARY BASE 10 Terminal Regiment is an abandoned military complex situated on Middle Head, the only complete military base in Australia illustrating the building template for British Empire military bases at the time of construction. Page 1 of 4 This location is ideal for a student learning centre, close to the entrance to the NSW Sydney Harbour National Park, with adjacent car parking and with public bus and anticipated water transport to Chowder Bay. Establishing a Field Study Centre in part of the 10 Terminal Regiment base would take students on a journey in time through indigenous, colonial, scientific and military history. Indigenous History The Borogegal people lived here for 4000 years – there is still evidence of their occupation § Rock carvings and middens are found in the National Park lands § Indigenous warriors danced with Captain Hunter and his marines on Cobblers Beach, Middle Head on 29 January, 1788. This was the first encounter between white men and indigenous people on the north shore. § Governor Macquarie gave Bungaree and his followers the first indigenous farm on this headland. It failed and the reason for its failure is a lesson in itself!! § Bungaree’s walking track is still used Built Military History A Field Studies Centre could lead students through many of the stories of Australian military history in distinct segments: Fortifications on the headland span 200 years of military history. The land has formerly been occupied by 6 defence bases. The sites facilities include: § Colonial military history – the earliest remaining convict built 1801 fort in Australia to protect Page 2 of 4 against a Napoleonic invasion is still here. The invasion never occurred. Why? § Why was a moat with drawbridge built? Why were the foundations of the officers’ house and fence fortified? § Victorian gun emplacements, including the disappearing gun, Beehive and Casemates, many to protect against a possible Russian invasion during the Crimean War. Why? § Post-colonial W1 history – gun emplacements. Former ANZAC military hospital buildings on Georges heights § A labyrinth of purpose built tunnels, batteries and fortifications systems, including an underground hospital. How is this like ‘Hell Fire Corner’ in the Dover cliffs, England? WW2 history and post WW2 § Former 10 Terminal Regiment base was purpose built as - 2nd Line of Communication Signals Headquarters in WW11 – critical telecommunication activities both military and clandestine - The base was important in developing camouflage uniforms for jungle warfare in the Pacific and searchlight technology - Old radio station and antennae are still in place – used in WW11 for interception of enemy traffic - Later it became the Army School of Intelligence (Spy School) and Directorate, providing high-level policy advice to Australia’s most senior soldier, General Blamey. The Directorate was a pioneer in developing approaches to military government in areas liberated by the combat troops, as demonstrated by the Australian Army in New Guinea, and Borneo in 1945-46. It is an issue of enduring importance. Sir John Kerr (later Governor General of Australia) was part of this team. - The former barracks were converted into the School of Pacific Administration to train patrol officers and teachers for Papua New Guinea, our protectorate as a legacy of WW11. - The Base became the home of Former Transport Depot(RAASC/RACT) - 10 Terminal amphibious transport unit responsible for opening up and annual resupply of Australia’s bases in Antarctica - In the Vietnam War the 10 Terminal base became a training site for ‘Code of Conduct’ courses for junior officers and NCOs in the event of capture. The course was based on the Page 3 of 4 terrible experiences of Australian and allied POWs during WW11 and the Korean War. It took place in the ‘tiger cages’ within the fortifications and can be visited. The chilling remarkable account of the ‘torture training’ of Australian war hero Captain Barry Peterson at Middle Head is screaming to be told. - Residential accommodation for military personnel. § Submarine Miners Depot in Chowder Bay was established to make and test mines WW11 § Georges Head is the location of the boom net which foiled the Japanese midget sub attack on Sydney Harbour 1942. One submarine was caught in the net. § Look out posts and searchlight posts are still in place and can be visited § Former camouflaged WW11 fuel storage tanks at Georges Heights are restored and could be visited § There is still an operational naval base at HMAS Penguin Geography/Science § These are but some of the many curriculum key learning areas that could be illustrated and taught through an excursion to Middle Head. § Sydney Harbour itself is a spectacular example of a drowned river valley – a ria § Sydney Institute of Marine Studies (SIMS) has established a Discovery Centre in the historic sandstone former Submarine Miners Depot in Chowder Bay. This has a 3D model showing Sydney Harbour topography and a 3D simulation. Just seeing the 3D topography of underwater Sydney Harbour raises a host of questions for inquiring minds. § Students would have the opportunity to do hands-on research of the marine environment. Last year my grandson’s football team (largely indigenous) from Darwin visited Sydney and were accommodated in Land’s Edge at Chowder Bay. I took the boys on a short tour of Middle Head and they were amazed at what is there. The accommodation at ‘Lands Edge' could work in with this Middle Head Field Study Centre enabling many students from all over NSW and indeed Australia to stay overnight on Middle Head with safe harbour beaches in a relaxed ambiance. They would have a unique opportunity for an immersion in Australia's military and natural history, science and culture. Julie Goodsir, President Headland Preservation Group Inc. Mobile - 0401 525 777 Landline - 02 9960 4727 15 December 2016 Page 4 of 4 .
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