Questions for discussion

Super Trawler 1. Discuss the issues raised in the Super Trawler story with another student and

record the main points of your discussion. 2. What is the new fishing super trawler called? 3. The new fishing super trawler is the second biggest in the world. True or

false? 4. What does ‘trawling’ mean? 5. How many fish can the super trawler catch in one day?

a. 2 tonnes b. 25 tonnes c. 250 tonnes

6. Name a type of fish that the super trawler specifically catches? 7. How is the super trawler different to other fishing boats? 8. Why are some people concerned about the super trawler? 9. What are the pros and cons of the super trawler? Do you think the trawler is

destructive or sustainable? 10. Do you think the super trawler should be allowed to fish in Australian waters?

Explain your answer.

Test your knowledge in the Super Trawler quiz. Go to the BtN website and follow the links.

Cotton Wool Kids

1. What is meant by the phrase `bubble wrap kids’? 2. What do studies show about the amount of time kids are spending outside? 3. In the past 20 years, childhood injuries have reduced by ____________. 4. Why are some people concerned about kids not taking risks when they play? 5. How could it affect a person’s decision making later in life? 6. Why do some parents not want their children to take risks? 7. Why are the legal risks a concern for some schools, councils and clubs? 8. Describe the playground at Redcliffe Primary School in Perth. 9. How has it helped kids in the classroom? 10. How has your thinking changed since watching the Cotton Wool Kids story?

‘Are we becoming too safety conscious?’ Vote in the BtN online poll

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/

Plastic Oceans

1. Briefly summarise the BtN story. 2. How many pieces of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every day?

a. 350 b. 3,500 c. 3.5 million

3. Where is Lord Howe Island? 4. Why do thousands of birds and marine life off Lord Howe Island die each

year?

EPISODE 27

18TH

SEPTEMBER 2012

5. How is all the plastic getting into the ocean? 6. What incentives has South Australia put in place to help reduce the amount

of plastic going into our oceans? 7. Why are plastic bags and bottles harmful to the environment? 8. What are some kids doing around the coastline of Australia to help with this

issue? 9. What are the advantages of recycling and reusing plastic bottles and

containers? 10. Make a list of environmental benefits of recycling or reusing plastic.

Post a message on the Behind the News Guestbook http://www.abc.net.au/btn/

Wombat Weeds 1. What type of animal is a wombat?

a. Marsupial b. Reptile c. Monotreme

2. What type of wombat is Dale? 3. Southern hairy-nosed wombats are known as “bulldozers of the bush”. True or

false? 4. What toxic plants are these wombats eating that is making them so sick? 5. Name a side effect that this toxic plant is having on these wombats? 6. Why is it so difficult for the southern hairy-nosed wombat to find its native food? 7. What does Brigitte feed to Dale to try and restore his health? 8. What type of environment do wombats like? 9. Name three facts you learnt watching this story. 10. How did this story make you feel?

Create a diagram or artwork that shows the threats to the Southern hairy-nosed wombat.

Show Business 1. What was the main point of the Show Business story? 2. What is the show ride called that is owned by the Pavier family? 3. How many months of the year does the Pavier family spend travelling to

shows around Australia? a. 1 month b. 9 months c. 12 months

4. What does the Pavier family live in when they are working at the show? 5. What do you think are the pros and cons for families that work at the show? 6. List the any similarities and differences between the travelling show school

and your school? 7. Complete the following sentence. ‘Last week the families found out that their

school is losing its___________ and might be shut down’. 8. Do you think the government should spend money on travelling schools?

Explain your answer. 9. Illustrate an aspect of this story. 10. Send a message to the show kids on the Behind the News Guestbook.

Create a short argument for or against the travelling show school continuing. Present your argument to the class.

Cotton Wool Kids

Focus Questions 1. What is meant by the phrase `bubble wrap kids’? 2. What do studies show about the amount of time kids are spending outside? 3. In the past 20 years, childhood injuries have reduced by ____________. 4. Why are some people concerned about kids not taking risks when they play? 5. How could it affect a person’s decision making later in life? 6. Why do some parents not want their children to take risks? 7. Why are the legal risks a concern for some schools, councils and clubs? 8. Describe the playground at Redcliffe Primary School in Perth. 9. How has it helped kids in the classroom? 10. How has your thinking changed since watching the Cotton Wool Kids story?

Taking Risks Discuss the issues raised in the Cotton Wool Kids story. Were any questions raised watching the story? Add the questions to the list below to discuss with the class. Brainstorm responses to the following questions:

What is a safe and unsafe risk? Give some examples of each.

What are the consequences of risk taking behaviour?

Why do people take risks?

Working in small groups, students discuss the following questions: Why do some people say risk taking is important to a child’s learning? Do you agree? Explain your answer. How does taking risks help you? What do you learn? Each group reports back to class with their responses. What were the similarities and differences? Choose one of the following activities:

What sorts of `risky’ games do you like playing at school or home? Interview 2 or 3

adults about the games they played when they were children. How are they different

to the games you play?

EPISODE 27

18TH

SEPTEMBER 2012

Learning Area

Health and Physical Education

Key learning

Students will develop a deeper understanding of safe and unsafe risks, factors affecting risk taking and possible consequences.

A school recently has banned cartwheels and handstands. Read the following news

article http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/28/3577470.htm?site=sydney Do

you think the ban is a good idea? Why or why not?

Design a playground or a treehouse that encourages children to take safe risks. What

design features make your playground or treehouse special? Create a labelled diagram

and display in your school.

Do you think we are becoming too safety conscious? Write a short persuasive

argument and present it to the class.

Reflection

Students finish the following statements:

I was surprised to hear…

This made me think differently about…

Related Research Links

ABC 7.30 – Teaching kids to always be safe carries its own dangers

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-08/teaching-kids-to-always-be-safe-carries-

its-own/4250304

Behind the News – Risk Takers

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2910965.htm

ABC – Banned: The humble handstand

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/28/3577470.htm?site=sydney

Plastic Oceans Focus Questions

1. Briefly summarise the BtN story. 2. How many pieces of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every day?

a. 350 b. 3,500 c. 3.5 million

3. Where is Lord Howe Island? 4. Why do thousands of birds and marine life off Lord Howe Island die each

year? 5. How is all the plastic getting into the ocean? 6. What incentives has South Australia put in place to help reduce the amount

of plastic going into our oceans? 7. Why are plastic bags and bottles harmful to the environment? 8. What are some kids doing around the coastline of Australia to help with this

issue? 9. What are the advantages of recycling and reusing plastic bottles and

containers at home or at school? 10. Make a list of environmental benefits of recycling or reusing plastic.

Plastic Oceans

Remember and understand

The following words come from BtN Plastic Oceans story. What does each word/term mean?

landfill

debris

pollution

marine

recycle

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? On a world map identify the main oceans and then highlight where the Great Pacific Garbage Patch can be found.

How are sea birds and other marine animals affected by plastic debris in the ocean?

Apply and analyse

What is an oceanographer? Research the work that they do and present it as a poster.

Do you think people would reduce their use of plastic and increase the

amount that is recycled if they knew the impact plastics have on marine

life? Why or why not? What could you do to raise awareness of how

plastics can harm marine life?

EPISODE 27

18TH

SEPTEMBER 2012

Learning Area

Society and Environment

Key learning

Students will develop a deeper understanding of the impact that pollution has on marine life.

How can consumers be persuaded to make better buying and recycling

decisions? Come up with a list of incentives and penalties that you think

would make a difference.

Evaluate and create

Begin with a class brainstorm about how plastic is an everyday part of our lives. Ask students to brainstorm ways in which they can reduce, reuse and recycle plastic.

o Ask students to design a poster that promotes the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) which can be taken home or put up at school, or

o Ask students to collect recycled materials and then design and construct an object. Provide an opportunity for students to display their objects as part of an exhibition promoting recycling.

What are some ways rubbish ends up in the ocean? Create a diagram or an

artwork to show how it gets there.

Ask students to generate questions about what happens to waste at their school. Then ask students to survey school staff members – Principal, Deputy Principal, teachers, cleaners etc to find out what happens to the waste at their school. Students can then determine what they think needs to be done to reduce waste and develop and proposal to put to the school council or SRC.

Related Research Links

ABC News – Plastic Oceans

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3583576.htm

Behinds the News – Recycling

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3507210.htm

Behind the news – Plastic Fantastic

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2835244.htm

ABC Science - Rising plastic menace choking sealife

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/07/09/3540635.htm

National Geographic – Great Pacific Garbage Patch http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/?ar_a=1&ar_r=3 Planet Ark – recycling information http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/recycling-info/

End of term quiz, Term 3 2012

1. Australia has some of the strictest gun laws in the world. a. True b. False

2. Another word for cash is?

a. Credit card b. Calculator c. Money

3. Which Australian building is on the $5 note?

a. Opera House b. Parliament House c. Centrepoint Tower

4. Which planet in our solar system is most like Earth?

a. Mars b. Jupiter c. Venus

5. How long did it take for NASA to get robot Curiosity from Earth to

Mars? a. 8 days b. 8 months c. 8 years

6. Which word means stylish and fashionable?

a. Vintage b. Vogue c. Voulez

7. The design on paper for an item of clothing is known as a... a. Pattern b. Rhythm c. Sequence

8. In dogs, which vein is blood taken from?

a. Femoral b. Jugular c. Pulmonary

9. How often can dogs donate blood? a. Once a year b. Every 3 months c. Every week

10. Julian Assange is the founder of which website?

a. WebLeaks b. WikiLeaks c. SpyLeaks

11. Gorillas are...

a. Primates b. Monotremes c. Marsupials

12. A male gorilla is known as a...

a. Silverback b. Goldback c. Razorback

13. The number of men and women who smoke has increased over the

years. a. True b. False

14. Murderball is the name given to which Paralympic sport?

a. Wheelchair basketball b. Wheelchair rugby c. Football

15. 3D printing is a type of manufacturing.

a. True b. False

16. What type of industry is mining?

a. Retail b. Primary c. Manufacturing

17. If a country’s making a lot of money from mining it’s a mining...

a. Gloom b. Doom c. Boom

18. If you’re on the internet you are...

a. Online b. Offline c. Onside

19. How many fish can the super trawler catch in one day? a. 2 tonnes b. 25 tonnes c. 250 tonnes

20. How many pieces of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every day?

a. 350 b. 3,500 c. 3.5 million

Answers on the following page

Answers

1. a. True

2. c. Money

3. b. Parliament House

4. a. Mars

5. b. 8 months

6. b. Vogue

7. a. Pattern

8. b. Jugular

9. b. Every 3 months

10. b. WikiLeaks

11. a. Primates

12. a. Silverback

13. b. False

14. b. Wheelchair rugby

15. a. True

16. b. Primary

17. c. Boom

18. a. Online

19. c. 250 tonnes

20. c. 3.5 million

BtN: Episode 27 Transcript

18/9/12

On this week's Behind the News

There's a warning that over-protecting children could actually

be bad for their health.

Plastic in the Ocean; it's killing wildlife so researchers are

trying to track where it came from.

And we check out a program to save these wombats from some

nasty weeds.

Hi I'm Nathan Bazley, welcome to Behind the News.

Also on the show today where do you go to school when you spend

your life travelling with the show?

Before all that:

Super Trawler

Reporter: Nathan Bazley

INTRO: The second biggest fishing trawler in the world arrived in

Australia last week. But with it came a sea of controversy. The

Government has tried to stop the super trawler from dropping its

huge nets in Australian waters. But the company behind it says it's

doing nothing wrong and has followed all the rules. So why has it

become such a controversial issue? Let's take a look.

NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: Fans of fishing often say too much is

never enough.

They're talking about the age old pastime of chucking a line in though.

They're not talking about this - a super trawler. Because of its size,

this super trawler, now named the Abel Tasman, has sailed into a

storm of controversy since it arrived in Australia.

It's been caught hook, line and sinker in a net of protest. But enough

with the sailing puns, let's take a look at what this ship actually does.

The Abel Tasman has the ability to catch more than 250 tonnes of fish

a day. And once on board, the ship can store about 6,200 tonnes

before needing to head back to port.

The two types of fish it goes after are jack mackerel and red bait. Once

caught, they are moved to an on-board fish factory, where they are

sorted, frozen and packed. The factory takes up about 2/3rds of the

ships length; the rest is used for actual fishing.

Well it was planned to be used for actual fishing. But despite being

okayed for use, when word spread that the huge trawler was on its

way, the protests started.

They all want it banned, but why?

Well, here are some of the arguments for and against this super

trawler.

AGAINST: The ship will catch too many fish. It's not sustainable.

FOR: It can't catch more than the limit set by the government, no

matter how big it is.

AGAINST: Well if there's a limit, why bother with such a big ship

then?

FOR: Well, it's faster and more efficient.

AGAINST: The trawler’s net is so big it could hold 13 jumbo jets.

FOR: Yeah, but it's actually smaller than some of the other nets that

are being used in Australia.

AGAINST: It has too much storage, it can just keep fishing in one

place which is bad for local fish stocks.

FOR: The big storage means the ship can go further from port and

fish in areas other trawlers can't usually reach.

AGAINST: It'll catch other marine animals in its huge nets.

FOR: If seals or dolphins are caught in the nets, there is a special

device which helps them escape.

So that's the for and against, but which side is right here?

Well the government has decided AGAINST the super trawler, and

against its own department that had earlier given the ship permission

to fish.

So for now, the super trawler is banned. Although the government

says it will look again at the issue in a year, after more research has

been done. And that brings us to the end of the super trawler story.

The story of a boat lured down under, before being reeled into the net

of a government ban.

Oh right! Sorry, no more sailing puns!

Presenter: Let's see what else is making the news. Here's Tash with

the Wire.

The Wire

A protest by Muslims in Sydney turned violent over the weekend.

They're angry about a low budget US film that mocks the Prophet

Mohammed. The protest was sparked by a mass text message which

called for people to defend the honour of the Prophet. Several men

were charged over the violence but police say more arrests could

follow.

*****

The latest opinion polls have been released and Julia Gillard is now

the preferred PM. Her popularity increased by 5 points. But the news

wasn't so good for Opposition leader Tony Abbott his popularity

dropped 6 points. The government's also now on level terms with the

opposition as preferred party.

*****

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton are

visiting the Solomon Islands as a part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

tour. But back in London the Royal family has started a legal fight to

stop newspapers and magazines publishing unauthorised photos of

the Duchess. A French magazine has already published the photos

which the Royals say is a breach of their privacy.

Cotton Wool Kids

Reporter: Sarah Larsen

INTRO: No one wants to get hurt but some reckon the cuts and

bruises that kids get from playing outside are actually a really

important part of growing up. Right now there are big studies going

on to see whether kids' health is suffering because their parents

aren't letting them do dangerous stuff. Sarah explains

MAN'S VOICE: Parents, do you worry about your kids getting

injured?

Well, there's no need to worry if you've got bubble wrap kids!

Bubble wrap kids can't get hurt because you don't let them do

anything!

Playing on equipment? Ha ha, don't think so!

Riding a bike alone? Not bubble wrap kids!

SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: There are people who think Australia

is becoming a nation of bubble wrap kids.

That doesn't mean kids actually look like this. What they mean is that

kids aren't being allowed to take enough risks. Kids do seem to play

differently than they did in the old days. Studies show that on average

they spend less time outside and less time getting hurt.

In the past 20 years childhood injuries have reduced by half. Many

see that as a good thing but some worry that kids are missing out on

important skills because life is too safe.

ANDREW WHITEHOUSE, Telethon Institute for Child Health

Research: I think there's certainly a worry that we might have gone

too far at this moment there is no doubt that that there are enormous

amounts of benefit by giving children independence and letting them

make their own mistakes.

REPORTER: Experts reckon that getting hurt is actually a big part of

learning. For example, it's how we know how high is too high to jump,

if we get hurt we learn not to do something again.

And if we don't learn to judge risks when we're little we might take

bigger risks when we're older and doing things like driving a car.

There's also the worry that kids aren't getting enough exercise

because parents aren't letting them walk to school or ride their bikes

alone.

So why would parents want to bubble wrap their kids?

REPORTER: Well some reckon it's because of the media, while the

world isn't actually more dangerous than it used to be it's much easier

to see horrible stories about kids getting injured and that can make

parents worried.

Then there's the legal risks. In the past few years we've heard stories

about schools, councils and clubs getting sued because someone got

injured some have responded by banning stuff that might be risky,

from building tree houses to doing cartwheels and even playing

chasey.

But not this school. When it comes to play, Redcliffe Primary in Perth

has gone old school. Here you can climb and swing and hang around

as much as you dare and if you fall off well that's part of learning.

The principal reckons giving kids more freedom to play is helping

them in class.

CHAD SEXTON-FINK, Principal: When they go back to classroom

they're much more relaxed and the teachers report that it's much

better for them.

There are other schools around the country encouraging free range

play. But while taking risks can help you learn, too much risk can be

dangerous. Across the country about 60,000 kids a year end up in

emergency rooms because of injury. And as the head of Kids Safe

Australia points out, it's still the main cause of death for kids under

14.

SCOTT PHILLIPS, KIDSAFE AUSTRALIA CEO: And across this state

30 children died, so that's a classroom full of children, from

unintended injury.

He says it's important to keep a balance between keeping kids safe

and letting kids be kids and most parents are getting that just about

right.

Presenter: OK let's make that our poll this week.

Online Poll

The question is:

Are we becoming too safety conscious?

To vote just head to our website.

Last week we asked you if the government should be allowed to store

the internet data of all Australians.

16% of you said yes.

And 84% said no.

Thanks for voting.

Plastic Oceans

Reporter: James Bartold

INTRO: Each day millions of pieces of new plastic get into our

oceans. But how does this plastic get there and what damage is it

doing to the creatures that live there? James checks out a big

scientific study where researchers with the help of some school kids

are tracking the movement of plastic in the ocean.

JAMES BARTOLD, REPORTER: We've all seen it clinging to trees

and drifting along footpaths. After all we drive in it, we talk on it, we

sit on it and we even package our food in it.

Plastic is an everyday part of our lives. Almost half of this plastic we

use though is only used once and then it's chucked out. So the

majority of our unwanted plastic heads here to landfill. Some other

plastic is recycled but they're not the only places it's ending up.

The ocean has become a home for our plastic. It's estimated three

point five million pieces of new plastic enter the world's oceans every

day and that's not good for the creatures that live there.

Thousands of birds and marine animals die each year because they

swallow plastic or get caught up in it but how is all this plastic is

getting into the ocean? Well that's what this group of researchers is

trying to find out.

This is Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia. It's a place

that's unspoilt, and beautiful, but it's also a place where wild life is

dying.

Plastic can be found within seconds on this deserted island beach and

it's by studying this rubbish that the researchers hope they'll find out

how it's got all the way over here.

DR BRITTA DENISE HARDESTY: "So as we go out on these beaches

and we pick up rubbish on our shores, we say OK, 'This is the debris

that's come here. We can then use oceanographic models that tell us,

you know, what are the winds, what are the currents? These bits of

garbage that ended up here where did they most likely come from?"

REPORTER: Once plastic gets into the water currents send it sailing

around the world. So to keep track of all this plastic, where it came

from and where it's going the researchers have teamed up with school

kids all over Australia to try to build a complete picture.

With the extra hands the research project has already made it more

than three quarters of the way around the continent.

Around the country there are other things people are doing to try to

stop plastic making its way into the ocean. Devices like these on

mouths of rivers or waterways trap things like plastic bottles.

REPORTER: These reeds have been especially planted here by the

council. They're here to stop rubbish that comes down the waterways

making its way out into the sea.

Some places have gone even further than that.

In 2009 South Australia banned places like supermarkets from giving

away light-weight plastic bags. And South Australia also encourages

people to recycle plastic bottles by giving ten cents back on every

drink bottle you take to a recycling centre.

DR BRITTA DENISE HARDESTY: "Observationally we do not find

full plastic bottles or cans or glass bottles in, in South Australia and I

would likely attribute that to the, to the container deposit scheme that

they have there."

REPORTER: So what can you do to help? Well if you go shopping use

green bags or recyclable instead of plastic, and buy containers that

can be used more than once. Because if each of us can use less plastic

in our lives it means one less piece that can end up here!

Presenter: OK, time for our first quiz of the show.

Quiz 1

The question is:

What percentage of plastic bags are currently recycled in Australia?

3%

13%

30%

Answer: 3%

The rest end up in landfill or as litter.

Wombats

Reporter: Nathan Bazley

INTRO: Last week we brought you the story of some kids who helped

me comb the bush trying to get rid of weeds. The reason is because

they can cause big problems for native animals. And this next story

is the proof how It's about one of Australia's most iconic marsupials

the wombat. Let's take a look at the problem.

NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: This is Dale.

Dale has done something special.

Dale dug a hole.

Yes, Dale did.

In fact, Dale digs lots of holes. That's why he, and other southern

hairy-nosed wombats are known as the bulldozers of the bush.

But all of that digging takes a lot of energy, so wombats need to have a

bit of tucker around to stay fit and strong.

Luckily in this area, there's green stuff everywhere.

But despite that, something very sad is happening to the hairy-nosed

wombats here. They're starving.

BRIGITTE: This wombat here we noticed about five months ago that

she was looking very poor so she was actually one of the first wombats

that we started to do support feeding for and she took to it straight

away.

This is Brigitte and she's started doing food runs for the wombats in

this area. Think of her like 'meals on wheels' for marsupials.

BRIGITTE: Twice a week we drop down some oats and hay for them

and the reason that we do that is because they simply had nothing to

eat.

Wait up, there is lush green food everywhere! Or is there?

All of this stuff is an introduced plant called onion weed and wombats

don't like to eat it.

Here's some more and some more.

These tiny little stands underneath are native wombat food!

As you can see, there is hardly any.

The onion weed is choking it out, leaving the poor wombats starving

in a sea of green they don't actually eat.

Now I know what you're thinking. Why don't the wombats just stop

being so fussy and eat the weeds!

Well they are so desperate, they are starting to and that's what causes

them to look like this.

You see, onion weeds are actually toxic to wombats.

They cause hair loss, which leaves them exposed to severe sunburn

and liver failure inside.

BRIGITTE: This little girl came in extremely emaciated and as you

can see she has put on weight but her hair hasn’t started coming back

through yet.

When she's not out feeding them, Brigitte looks after the wombats

that have fallen sick.

Most of the 29 animals she's caring for are getting back to health

through a diet of pureed sweet potato.

BRIGITTE: She drinks two or three four of these per day.

Unfortunately, this is about all that can be easily done for the poor

wombats.

Because the only other solution is to take the fight up to introduced

weeds like these.

They have taken over huge areas and would take ages to remove.

But Brigitte says it would be worth it.

BRIGITTE: A wombats burrow actually provide an environment for

so many species that rely in that area on the wombats for survival so if

we see the wombats dying out we will see a whole lot of other species

going down with them.

So hopefully soon, these wombats can get back to doing what Dale

loves doing best. Digging holes.

Presenter: OK, how much do you know about wombats let's have a

quiz.

Quiz 2

The question is:

What's different about a wombat's pouch?

Faces backwards

Males have them

Store food

Answer: They face backwards

They open backwards so the baby wombat isn't pelted with dirt when

the mum is digging.

OK, time for some sports news now here’s Tash with the Score.

The Score

The top four teams are locked in for the AFL finals. Collingwood beat

West Coast to set up a preliminary final clash with Sydney. And

Adelaide will play flag favourites Hawthorn in the other preliminary

final after beating Fremantle. Rugby League's top four has also been

decided. Manly beat North Queensland in a controversial game and

will play Melbourne next week. While South Sydney will face the

Canterbury Bulldogs after thrashing Canberra.

******

Australian tennis has had a big setback with the Aussies losing to

Germany in their Davis Cup playoff tie. It means Australia won't

return to the world group which is the top 16 countries. The Aussies

only needed to win one of its return singles matches. But both Lleyton

Hewitt and Bernard Tomic lost in straight sets.

******

The news wasn't great for our Aussie netballers either. The Diamonds

were beaten by New Zealand by 2 points in the first match of their

three test series. Australia made a strong run home but couldn't claw

back the win. The next match is in Auckland on Thursday.

Show Business

Reporter: Sarah Larsen

INTRO: Kids all around the country spend the year looking forward

to the visit of the annual show. Thousands go to see the sites and ride

the rides. But there are some that don't come for the showbags or the

fairy floss. They come here to work and for hundreds of families

royal shows are a way of life. Here's Sarah.

The royal show is something kids all around the country look forward

to and last week it was Adelaide's turn. Thousands of kids and adults

too turned out see the sites and ride the rides. But to some kids the

show isn't just about showbags and fairy floss. It's a way of life. Sarah

met some of the hard working people responsible for bringing the

show to you.

SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: When you're at the show there just

never seems to be enough time to do everything: So many things to

see, so many games to play, then the are the rides.

REPORTER: Wouldn't it be great if you could go to the show all year!

Well, some people do.

Behind the rides and the games and food joints are families like the

Paviers who help to make the show what it is.

SUSAN PAVIER: Who's involved? Sons, daughters and daughter in-

laws, son in-laws and the children, the grandchildren.

They own a company which runs food vans and games and some of

the most impressive rides around like the XXXL.

REPORTER: That was really fun.

While owning show rides might sound like the best job ever, behind

the scenes there's a lot of hard work.

BRODERICK PAVIER: The weather can be the most tormenting part

of the whole darn thing you know, we've had days when it's 100

kilometre hour winds and it's pelting with rain and you're in the mud

and the slush and you think "I don't want to do this any more" you

know.

There's also a lot of travelling. The Paviers spend nine months of the

year travelling to shows around the country and just three months at

home in Wyee on the New South Wales coast.

But life on the road doesn't have to be uncomfortable.

SUSAN PAVIER: Our mobile homes, well they're on wheels, and so

they're a little unit on wheels. All we are is a travelling town, it's very

normal as any other normal town would be I imagine.

Just like any town this one has its own school.

It might be on wheels but inside the Queensland School for Travelling

Show children is like any classroom, teaching all the same stuff.

Ah Science, English and Maths.

There are two teachers here who drive the school around from show

to show teaching kids like Tasman and Taylum.

TASMAN AND TAYLUM: My parents own the crazy coaster and the

extreme. And my parents own the Sky Flier, the Holly Wood Horrors,

the Euro-Slide, the Ferris Wheel, and the race game and lots of

games.

While they don't always travel together the show families have a

pretty tight-knit community.

TASMAN AND TAYLUM: We're all like cousins we all know each

other. You go to one show and you're like damn, they're not here and

you go to another show and you're like Hey! Callum!

In the old days show kids would have to either leave their families to

go to school... or learn from their parents as they travelled and go to

different schools in each town.

But having their own school on wheels means they get the same

opportunities as any kid... while living the lifestyle that they love.

TASMAN AND TAYLUM: I've been coming here since I was five. It

just makes it a bit more like, instead of going around like having to go

to home school which is even more hard.

Except it might be at risk. Last week the families found out that the

school is losing its funding and might be shut down. It's a massive

blow for the show community and they're hoping something can be

done.

They say the show is in their blood and in their hearts and they want

to keep coming back year after year putting smiles on faces right

around the country.

Closer

That's it for the show. You can jump onto our website if you want to

get more info on any of the stories. You can send us your comments

and don't forget to vote in this week's poll. I'll see you next time.