On Saturday 18 June, the boys from The Scots College, Glengarry, will be riding through the township of Kangaroo Valley.
After a semester of setbacks and extremely wet weather, the boys will undertake Glengarry’s 21st six-day ‘Long Journey Home’ from 369 Jacks Corner Road, Kangaroo Valley all the way to the Scots school campus at Bellevue Hill in the Eastern suburbs. This symbolic journey involves the young men covering over 200km by bike, foot and ferry.
The boys are looking forward to riding over the historic and photogenic Hamden Bridge through town, before ascending the challenging ‘Mars Bar Hill’ on Wattamolla Road. We aim to be riding through town between 9am and 10am with an entourage of 124 boys, wearing high visibility vests, 32 staff – all highly qualified – and safety vehicles with signage and lights. We hope for extra caution, and cheery waves from local residents as we farewell the boys.
The first day’s journey will culminate with weary legs at the local campsite in Gerroa. On Day 2, the boys will walk the coastal path from Gerringong to Kiama, through townships to Minnamurra, where they will paddle board across the river and finish the day at the Killalea Campsite. On Day 3 the boys will ride along the coast, through Shellharbour, Port Kembla, via the Wollongong lighthouse for a joyous soft serve ice cream.
Next, we will follow the coastal bike path all the way to the Coledale caravan park. The morning of Day 4 will see the boys go through a prestigious ceremony calling them to manhood, inviting them to head off into life.
This symbolic event is a rite of passage encouraging the students to take on the character of the young men they have worked hard to become.
They will then walk through coastal scenery to a private campsite at Otford, before completing the 36km Royal National Park coastal trail, to Bundeena.
The last day will commence with a ferry ride to Rose Bay, with the boys being welcomed back to the College site at Bellevue Hill. As always, the boys will be welcomed back with tears of happiness from parents, siblings and family, surrounded by the noisy ovations of the entire school population and staff.
Alison Johnson