The Termeil Excursion
The Termeil excursion wasn't necessarily an excursion based around going to a venue and having a good time. It wasn't supposed to be an exciting, entertaining or even a fun excursion. The whole reason we went to Termeil, and Bawley Point was to look at primary sources of the change that has happened around the Termeil region, and look into change's eyes and see the beautiful and horrific things it has done over time.
Change
Change is a process which can affect anyone or anything at any time or place. Change can be simple. Change can be as simple as a Maths class changing topic from Ratio to Proportion. Change can also be drastic. Change can be a family member dying, or moving to a completely new and different area. It is these factors about change which make it essential. Although change can be bad to some people, and good to others, humans would not survive on this planet without change. Change is essential and everyone and everything will and must undertake it whether it be good, great, and amazing, or bad, terrible and horrific.
Laurie Baxter is a local elder around the area of Termeil. He has lived in and around the region all of his life, and is a funny, quiet and fascinating man. He attended the local school house in Termeil, and when he was interviewed, the sock registered palpably on everyone’s’ faces. People were shocked, amused and fascinated at the same time. Of course people enjoyed his stories about how he would wag school with his friends and have fun. People would then be horrified to learn how he would get caned for that. They would then be fascinated to learn about how all of this changed. Did the cane hurt? What was the worst experience of the cane for you? When did schools change and get rid of the cane? As was stated in the first sentence of this piece of writing, the Termeil excursion wasn't necessarily an excursion to have fun and play on. We were looking into the heart and life of change and seeing what it has done and how it has effected everyone and everything.
The environment is a huge factor in the topic of change. If we look at one of the largest aspects of change in environment (climate change), we can clearly see how over time, change has absolutely changed the environment across the world. These changes are negative and are still happening. This is probably the largest aspect of environmental change in the world right now, but there are also smaller aspects. For example, the change in environment around the Termeil region.
A horrible example of change in environment around Termeil and Bawley Point was when an enormous bushfire ripped through the heart and lungs of the little region. After the bush fire ended, it was clear to see the amount of horrific change the region had experienced. Buildings had been destroyed, livestock killed and forests destroyed. Laurie Baxter described that after the fire, you could chase a mouse through the bush and not lose sight of it because of the destroyed bush and clear visibility that this caused. This was a natural occurrence which probably started from a very tiny fire, but then grew into an enormous blaze. This shows how such small things, like a spark, could change the lives of so many people so drastically by destroying their homes, their livestock, their gardens and many things that they love.
The environment is a huge factor in the topic of change. If we look at one of the largest aspects of change in environment (climate change), we can clearly see how over time, change has absolutely changed the environment across the world. These changes are negative and are still happening. This is probably the largest aspect of environmental change in the world right now, but there are also smaller aspects. For example, the change in environment around the Termeil region.
A horrible example of change in environment around Termeil and Bawley Point was when an enormous bushfire ripped through the heart and lungs of the little region. After the bush fire ended, it was clear to see the amount of horrific change the region had experienced. Buildings had been destroyed, livestock killed and forests destroyed. Laurie Baxter described that after the fire, you could chase a mouse through the bush and not lose sight of it because of the destroyed bush and clear visibility that this caused. This was a natural occurrence which probably started from a very tiny fire, but then grew into an enormous blaze. This shows how such small things, like a spark, could change the lives of so many people so drastically by destroying their homes, their livestock, their gardens and many things that they love.
My Reflection & Personal Change
This excursion changed my whole understanding of change and it did so for the better. It was absolutely extraordinary to witness the definition and examples of early change right in front of my eyes. I learned, laughed and loved everything about the excursion and to me, I think I am a better person because of this. For example, I saw how hard people may have had it fifty or more years ago. This makes me think that although sometimes I may dislike having to do chores, such as cleaning my room, I must think back to these people, and how the change from their time to mine is definitely worth the price of cleaning my room once a week.
To conclude, change as a whole, can be extremely beneficial or extremely disadvantageous. It can almost be considered as unfair as how change hurts so many, but also rewards so many. We must accept change and learn to live and thrive with and amongst it. Change will always be a part of our lives and we need to learn to love it.
As Barack Obama once said:
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.
We are the ones we've been waiting for.
We are the change that we seek."
We can work and be friends with change. If we achieve this feat, we can change every negative aspect and all of those who are opposed to change, but only if we work together.
To conclude, change as a whole, can be extremely beneficial or extremely disadvantageous. It can almost be considered as unfair as how change hurts so many, but also rewards so many. We must accept change and learn to live and thrive with and amongst it. Change will always be a part of our lives and we need to learn to love it.
As Barack Obama once said:
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.
We are the ones we've been waiting for.
We are the change that we seek."
We can work and be friends with change. If we achieve this feat, we can change every negative aspect and all of those who are opposed to change, but only if we work together.