TROY BELL MP
Member for Mount Gambier
Your Independent voice
in State Parliament
Regional students experience hands-on politics
Tuesday April 18, 2023ALMOST 60 year six students from local small schools recently embarked on a camp to Adelaide and experienced city living.
The camp, attended by students from Glenburnie Primary School, Moorak Primary School, Mil Lel Primary School, and Kongorong Primary School, involved a trip to Parliament House where the children were able to interact as though they were members of parliament.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell led the tour and said it was important for students to understand how the government works.
“It is so important for students to understand the democratic process and being an ex-school teacher, I really enjoy the opportunity to educate students about the Westminster system of government,” he said.
“In later life, it is so important for them to learn how to become active citizens through our Parliamentary system.”
Glenburnie Primary School year six teacher Gaynor Arthurson said it was great for the regional students to experience something that is not easily accessible to them.
“It was such a lovely experience for them, many of the students haven’t actually had the opportunity to even travel to Adelaide, so that was one of those experiences that they will take with them in their future,” she said.
“I think it would open their world into a whole new different level of understanding and opportunity.”
Ms Arthurson said the visit provided a wonderful experience and tied into the year six curriculum under civics and citizenship.
“It was very interactive. Troy Bell did such a wonderful job in regards to the history of parliament and how the government is formed,” she said.
“He went into lots of detail that probably we as teachers wouldn’t actually impart through to the students in a regular school lesson.
“It was an amazing and immersive lesson that really covered everything the year sixes need, but it went beyond that.”
During the visit Mr Bell said the students were able to participate in a mock debate.
“Breeana in my office prepared some great mock questions for the students to debate, taking the opportunity to see how Government and Opposition work,” he said.
“They debated having a shorter school week, overspending on health budgets and whether someone had been tipping dye into our famous Blue Lake to make it bluer.”
Mr Arthurson said students had a great time participating in the debate.
“The students were really unbelievably engaged and really took on their roles to a high level,” she said.
“It gave the students the opportunity to have a voice and to have it heard.”
With a few schools there, Ms Arthurson said it was a good opportunity for the students to interact with people who they do not know.
Ms Arthurson said she was sure there were some future politicians who attended the camp.
“I think the experience opened their eyes to that next level of where they can go and how they can use their passion to impart their knowledge to others.”
Mr Bell agreed and said it was great to see some future leaders in the room.
“I was very impressed how the students answered some of the tricky questions and can definitely see some future young leaders emerging,” he said.
While on the camp local students also enjoyed a trip to the Immigration Museum, the South Australian Museum, the Maritime Museum, Monarto Zoo, Adelaide Oval, Victor Harbor, and the Beach House.
“It was just amazing for country students to have the opportunity that many of them would never get the chance to have in their life,” Ms Arthurson said.
NEW EXPERIENCE: Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell taught the students about government. Picture: Supplied