The 4.30am group departed ahead of schedule, arriving at the airport at 4.50am. Check-in was smooth and all students were soon in the departure lounge. The flight was a little bumpy on landing and the flight attendant asked students to put their hands in the air and pretend they were on a rollercoaster. Murrays Coaches were waiting and the students were soon on their way to Canberra, arriving at 12.15pm. Mr Jenks was waiting to greet our travellers. Bags were unloaded and students were soon having lunch.

The 6.00am group departed after one student arrived a little late. Check-in went well but the flight was delayed 40 minutes, arriving 20 minutes late into Sydney. The coach was loaded and departed at 10.00am, arriving into Canberra at 1.00pm.

The middle of the day was rainy. The skies cleared in time for the students to head to Floriade. The ground was a little wet but the kids enjoyed wandering through the gardens - the boys even enjoyed making flower arrangements at the Interflora pavillion.

From Floriade it was on to bowling - the goal being to completely exhaust the kids so they would beg for bed. The kids had a great time at bowling and made it back to Eaglehawk in time for dinner at 7.30pm. Dinner was roast beef and vegetables.

Today we did a little bit of star spotting - Bus 2 shared the plane with Craig Wing and Gina Jeffries. We also chatted with Jason from Better Homes and Gardens at Floriade.

Maybe tomorrow we will meet the PM at Parliament House - not sure if the students will be as excited as today's sightings though.

Our bus drivers, Richard and Allan, have welcomed us aboard their coaches and are proudly wearing their Merrimac State School jackets. They are both very happy with the bahaviour and attitude of our students. Both flight groups received favourable comments from Virgin Blue and the students were described as being "angelic" by one of the volunteers at Floriade. It is always wonderful to hear such positive praise from the public when we take our students away.

We have had some technical difficulties with our laptop so may not get the photos published tonight - will try and get them uploaded on Monday.

The end of Day 1 is almost here - our 88 students and 8 adults are happy and looking forward to lights out.

Until tomorrow ...

Photos are now available ...