Not sure about visiting History Hill?
These groups want you to know what they thought!
Bradbury Public School
History Hill is an excellent experience for Stage 3 students and gives them a realistic view of life in the goldfields era. The mine, museum and stamper battery displays are realistic and the guides develop a great rapport with the students keeping them engaged throughout the tour. The dining room and outdoor area easily catered for the 145 students on our excursion and the food was great. I would recommend adding it to the itinerary if you are planning a visit to the area.
The staff were friendly, obliging and extremely easy to deal with. We will definitely be returning in the future.
Teresa Calder (Year 6 Teacher)
Bradbury Public School
Cudgegong Valley Public School
We have been taking our year 5 students to History Hill at Hill End for over 15 years. The knowledge of Malcolm Drinkwater with regards to the discovery of Gold in Australia's history is amazing. He has amassed a museum full of items that covers all the groups who spent time on Australia's goldfields. I recommend History Hill to anyone who wants to find out everything about Gold in Australia. Well worth a visit!
Jeff. Williamson
Assistant Principal
Cudgegong Valley Public School.
Kings Langley Public School
We have been taking our yr 5 students to Hill End and booking with Malcolm Drinkwater for the last 20 years that I know of. My first time was in 1993 and my most recent is this year 2008. We take 70 to 90 children each time and I don't think the experiences they encounter at History Hill can be replicated as well in other places. Malcolm has to be the most knowledgable person in his field in Australia !! He has spent his life making this place the excellent example that it is. I can certainly recommend a visit to History Hill for any school or family group and the experience of gold panning in the creek with Ted and Terry also is something not to be missed !!!
David Cole yr 5 teacher Kings Langley PS
Lugarno PS
Nuwarra Public School
We didn't get the chance to thank you offically for your hospitality when the stage 3 students and teachers vivited History Hill last Wednesday. The students were fascinated by the history of the area and your presentations were outstanding. In particular your expertise at Hill End itself certainly captivated everyone. They also enjoyed the gold panning experience and many found that speck of gold!!
So thank you on behalf of Lugarno PS and hopefully we will be able to visit you again.
Jeff Evans
Assistant Principal.
Nuwarra Public School
The trip to your facility was a valuable experience for the students to see first hand the conditions in the twentieth century. It will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives. It was a fabulous trip.
Sceggs Redlands, Junior School. Cremorne
Annually, we travel from Sydney with year 5 to visit History Hill to tie in with our study of the Gold Rush era. Every year, the children are amazed by the wonderful historical insight they are given by our hosts and the exposure to wonderful artefacts.
Ari Guha
Year 5 Coordinator
St Paul's Grammar School
Our school has visited History Hill many times over the years. Our students have enjoyed the vast array of displays. Artefacts and information, enriching their understanding of one of Australia's most significant events. Whatever educational focus required, History Hill has been able to meet our expectations and we will continue to make it a central part of our students' Gold Rush experience.
Gina Mansley
Junior School Teacher
Tacoma Public School
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for the wonderful “History Hill”. You have a truly remarkable collection of memorabilia and historical pieces throughout your museum. The mine, the working stamper batteries and the museum, made this a very worthwhile excursion. The knowledge the children gained from your introduction, the movie and the knowledge through stories and experiences will stay with them for a long time. Every school should make the most of this fantastic resource that you have provided.
Your website is also full of valuable information which the children will be accessing for their projects.
Please pass on our thanks for the excellent lunch that was provided and to all involved with “History Hill”.
Thank you once again.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Kate Monaghan
Assistant Principal
Tacoma Public School
Tregear Public School
Here are a few points for your testimonials section:
“highly interactive”
“moving displays – great feature in museum”
“excellent display – stampers, hearing and seeing them function – gave a bit more insight into gold mining and how life was on the gold mines”
“The idea of incorperating lunch into the programme is excellent – less hassle on teachers”
“Underground mine – spectacular !!!!!”
Wallerawang Public School
Wallerawang Public School has been attending History Hill for a lot of years now as a culmination to our HSIE unit on 'Gold', 'Early Australian Settlement' and 'Globalisation'.
Malcolm Drinkwater, the owner, is a person with a lot of character and enthusiasm. His extensive knowledge of the 'Gold Rushes' and especially Hill End history is exceptional. He brings alive the 'Gold Rush' era.
The History Hill museum collection is one of a kind with a marvellous comprehensive cross section of artefacts and memorabilia.
The children always return from History Hill, delightfully inspired and bursting with knowledge.
Rob Morrow
Principal, Wallerawang Public School
..." History Hill provides a realistic impression of 19th Century goldfield life, supported by authentic buildings, machinery and an underground mine with activities designed to stimulate student education. Researched well by people with practical experience who care about education."
Carole McDiarmid, Superintendent, Bathurst District,
N.S.W. Department of Education.
"As a history teacher of 29 years, I have been taking excursions to Hill End for 13 years. Our school has followed the Drinkwater's to their present site and over 3 years watched it develop at an unbelievable rate. the batteries, steam engines, mine and museum need to be seen to be believed. With their new dining room I am confident to recommend this facility as a "must see" for the conscientious who want education for their students excursion."
Andrea Northwood
Raymond Terrace High School
.."I have been taking school groups to Hill End since 1973. The Drinkwaters have an encyclopedic knowledge of all aspects of the history of Hill End and surrounding goldfields. Their willingness and skill in disseminating this knowledge make the 'Drinkwater Experience' one which every school child in N.S.W. should encounter. All students, who have this experience, benefit both educationally and socially, and enjoy an experience which most of them will never forget."
Kelvin Ward, Head Teacher (Mathematics),
Morrisset High School.
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