Along some of Victoria’s extraordinarily beautiful coastline is the township of Anglesea. It’s 90 minutes from the ‘Big Smoke’; our wonderful home of Melbourne via the magnificent city of Geelong situated at Corio Bay.
The journey and camp experience takes our grade 5 pupils away from the Big Smoke and out to the Sticks for 3 days of country / coastal air. Campers will be physically engaged in outdoor recreational activities and a focus on aspects of Coastal Environmental Conservation, Australian Maritime and Local History, Community Living and Recreation and Health.
Climb on board ye barnacles… Campers will SWING from an 18 metre giant swing, climb a 17 metre vertical challenge, canoe the surrounding wetland environments, walk to the historic Point Roadnight rock pools, there are the night games, campfire songs, archery, beach volleyball, low ropes challenge, sports galore (soccer-basketball-table tennis etc), community living, Inverlochy Shipwreck Challenge, photo trail, orienteering, initiative activity… phew, the list goes on. The intention is to drive the little campers to the point of exhaustion so they actually catch some ZZZZZZZZs at bed time; night-night, sleep tight and don’t let the mobile phones, ipods, classics, T.V.s and lollies bite (just a joke but I’m sure you get the idea ).
There’s no junk food here mate. Yes, this is about alternatives. It also opens up avenues for those students whom may not otherwise have time to experience the unique nature of Australia beyond it’s city suburbs and the rigor of daily city living.
The History Of Anglesea
Before 1835, the Wathaurung Aboriginal people lived in the Anglesea area. The coastal rock platforms and reefs were used by the Wathaurung people as their middens (translated to English midden means kitchen). The numerous rock-pools provided an abundance of shell fish and crustacean food sources.
In 1840 Mr. Whitten Roadknight (whose name is given to Point Roadknight and it’s coastal surrounds) the first of the European settlers erected and resided in a permanent building. By 1848 Mr. Roadknight explored the Anglesea District. Until 1885 Anglesea was called Swampy Creek (due to the wetlands environment). Land was taken up for grazing but was not considered suitable for crop farming.
By 1880, Anglesea had grown to a Shire. Industry and commerce began to develop with the opening of the Jarosite Paint Works and the arrival of Cobb and Co. Land subdivisions and sales began to take place.
By the early 1900’s further signs of development began to take place. The first store was built and the Great Ocean Road was planned and commenced as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the First World War.
A boost to population came to Anglesea with the establishment of the Forest Commission base in 1921. The base included three large camps and a school. The 1920’s saw the opening of the first Golf Links, the Scout Camp and a school. In 1928 the Great Ocean Road was officially opened.
The 1940’s were marked by more construction. A forest camp to be used by college students for woodcutting was, established in Camp Road. The original Scout Camp, which had been burnt out, was rebuilt at Eumeralla. An event that was to shape the face of Anglesea as seen today, was the discovery of coal in 1958. This resource was harnessed in 1966 when Alco Power Station was started.
Back in 1944 the old Army Camp which was run by the Forest Commission was shifted to a new site in Camp Road. This accommodation was used by college students whilst cutting wood for the railways and Geelong. In the mid 1950’s the Fitness Council of Victoria leased the land from the Forestry Commission and added sleeping quarters. This was then used on occasional weekends and over the Christmas vacation for camping programmes.
In the mid 1960’s the buildings were moved to the current camp site after Alcoa took over the former camp site. The camp then began full-time operations. The National Fitness Council of Victoria was amalgamated into the Department of Sports and Recreation in 1978 and managed the campsite. Under their management, additional facilities have been added including a gymnasium and games room. The YMCA is currently holding joint proprietary and conducts a range of recreational and social development programs designed to foster positive physical and social development in conjunction with environmental awareness
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