By Kaylee Blair, Year 12 student

I had the extraordinary yet humbling opportunity to attend the Year 12 Service Camp. I know this might sound strange, but ever since I was in Year 7, I have been keen to experience this camp. I remember sitting in the crowd at assembly, engulfed by our peers, staring intently at the screen – our eyes like pickpockets, storing away all the hopes we had of one day serving on this camp together as we watched the Year 12s’ photos of their time there. Now, five years later, I finally got to go.

Reflecting on it now, I realise I wasn’t excited for the serving or the knowledge I would eagerly consume. Instead, I was more focused on having fun, being older, and spending time with friends.

Now, having experienced it firsthand, I realise how shallow and unsubstantial those expectations were. On the first day in Sydney, after an early start on the bus at 5:30 am, we arrived at “Thread Together”, a company that recycles unused clothes and gives them to people in need. This organisation helped me understand the situations many people face and what I take for granted. Some of these are basic necessities I personally wouldn’t think twice about. We had the opportunity to learn about the impact of fast fashion and confront the uncomfortable truth of overconsumption, as well as the lack of support many people have when it comes to acquiring essentials. We also learned that clothes aren’t just about outward appearance – they can provide confidence and a sense of self-worth, which everyone deserves.

One of the most impactful programs we participated in was the “Rough Edges” tour, which took us through the streets of Kings Cross, showing us the behind-the-scenes realities – the hidden parts and the people. This experience revealed the raw and real lives some people live and broadened my understanding of how individuals are treated in our world.

Another highlight was “The Big Issue”. It strongly emphasised the problems present in our society, particularly the marginalisation that we sometimes conform to and even encourage. It educated me on how others feel, and I believe this understanding will be invaluable moving forward. Gaining this awareness so we can better support one another is one of the most important things.

There were also many other incredible organisations we worked with, such as “Our Big Kitchen” and “Kids Giving Back”. These experiences helped me empathise more deeply with others and challenged stereotypes I had subconsciously formed due to societal expectations, while also allowing me to give what I could to those in need.

So yes, while having fun was a memorable part of the experience – I’ll always remember playing Pokémon Go around the city as a year group, competing to see who could make the best meals, Mr Capilli telling us to turn our “terrible” music down on the bus, and the photos we took together – what will stay with me most, even years from now, is that I was able to help people and make a difference in their lives.