At last student gets the message

By Callan Date
WHEN Terri-Lee Campbell attached a letter to a balloon as part of a school experiment she gave little thought to it ever being found.
More than two years had passed and the Hillcrest Christian College year 7 student had almost forgotten about the message until recently when an email arrived at the school.
Rohan Bilney, a Bairnsdale ecologist, had found the well-travelled letter more than 200 kilometres away in the Mitchell River National Park and was quick to get in touch with the Clyde North school.
Hillcrest Christian College head of middle school Hanan Khreish said it was a remarkable discovery that had thrilled everyone involved with the original project. Ms Khreish said year 5 and 6 students studying flight conducted the experiment in 2005.
“Some launched rockets that they made in class and others sent off some helium balloons with friendly messages,” Ms Khreish said.
So friendly was Terri-Lee’s message that a total stranger took the time to reply.
“I was very surprised when it was found. I think mine was the only one that had someone reply,” Terri-Lee said.
Mr Bilney said he found the severely degraded card, which read: “I’m Terri-Lee, please write back to me with a photo and tell me where you live and a bit about yourself. I sent this balloon from grade 5P at Hillcrest Christian College.”
Mr Bilney said that he found the card while conducting a mammal survey.
“I found this card, just lying on a dense patch of vegetation, in the forest.
“I found it quite remarkable that it travelled so far and the fact that it was actually found,” he said.
Ms Khreish said four classes sent off the balloons and rockets over two years ago. Terri-Lee’s had travelled the furthest.
Mr Bilney said he occasionally found different balloons throughout the forest while conducting his research.
“The prevailing wind must bring them out this way from Melbourne,” he said.
“I often wonder where they come from but it was great to find this letter and be able to pin point where it was released.”