At the Year 12 Geography excursion to Pentridge Prison, we observed the human and natural characteristics of the region, including Merri Creek and the Pentridge community garden. Following the community garden, we got to see the old structures of the Prison and take part in a traffic survey to help us understand the impacts of the land use change.
We had an opportunity to survey locals about their experience with the redevelopment of Pentridge and collect data for our fieldwork report including a field sketch. We had lunch at the restaurants that have been part of the new development of Pentridge, and then had a prison tour with Damien from National Trust. Damien took us around the main prison and outside the precinct into the apartment complexes. Damien showed us the old buildings still left, where some bodies were buried, and gave us the history of each building and the prison overall. After Damien finished the tour, we visited H division and had a Q & A with Chris, a spokesperson for the Shayher Group, the property developers behind Pentridge’s revival.
Overall, the day was an enjoyable experience and very interesting to learn about what Pentridge was and what it is planning to become.
By Aditi S (12H)