An estimated 100 people took the opportunity to visit and explore Omaui Camp, with the Y Southland hosting a public open day on Saturday 22nd February.
The Open Day was held to celebrate all the work that had happened at the camp throughout 2024.
Rotary Club of Invercargill, alongside Y staff, developed a new walking track on the camp grounds.
Across 5 working bees Club members assisted with laying weed mat and approx. 75 tonnes of gravel to make the new 350m of track and hundreds of native plantings.
Club funds supported by a Rotary District Grant paid for four wooden walkways constructed by Invercargill MenzShed.
Pete Thompson, Peter Bailey(MenzShed), Michael, Chami, Lisa-Maree and Jason Holland
Y Southland Chief Executive Pete Thompson said the project had been a resounding success.
“The Rotary Club of Invercargill were absolutely instrumental in making this all possible, and we can’t thank them enough for what they’ve worked so hard to create onsite at Omaui Camp – it’s a space that will be enjoyed by thousands of young people over many years to come,” he said.
Omaui was the site of the first working project for the Rotary Club of Invercargill, dating back to 1935 when it was then the Omaui Health Camp and the club held working bees to clear boulders from the site.
Rotary Club members clearing boulders in 1935.
The Club provided much of the material and labour for the construction of the original building and have returned to support the camp over the years.
President of the Rotary Club of Invercargill, Michael Blomfield said the club was pleased to support YMCA and the outdoor education project at Omaui Camp, as the Club’s major service project for its 100 years of service milestone.
“Omaui Camp holds a special connection for our members, with other Club milestone projects for the Club’s 50th and 75th anniversaries undertaken at the Camp.
Club members, their families, and friends rallied together with the team from the Y Southland to bring this vision to life. It has been a lot of hands-on hard work, but we’ve had a great deal of fun and fellowship along the way. The open day was a prefect way for us to celebrate with the Y Team” he said.
The Club supported the Open Day with a free sausage sizzle.
The project had many layers of community collaboration with major support also being received from the Department of Corrections.
Funding from the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation, provided for an environmental education resource, written by Lloyd Esler, highlighting Omaui’s history, plants, coastal life, bird life, and more.
Activity sheets for schools, are amongst new learning resources along with new interpretation panels on the walking track.
Jason Holland, project lead, with education panels along the on-site walking track.
Paul Norris, Chairperson for the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation was pleased the Foundation could support the worthwhile project.
“It aligns nicely with our Foundation objectives of providing educational opportunities in the outdoors for local community groups in our region.”
“The environmental education project gives schools a whole new opportunity for learning at Omaui, and it works for overnight stays or day trips,” Mr Thompson said.
“Omaui is a really special place and we’re doing what we can to people have as many reasons to visit the camp as possible.”
A former Children’s Health Camp, based at 159 Mokomoko Road, Omaui, was gifted to the Y Southland in 2001 for the good of the people of Southland, especially its young people.
While it is primarily used for school camps, it is also open for community or private bookings.
The Omaui Health Camp was gifted to the YMCA in 2001 and our community relationship with YMCA goes back to 1929.
This 100th year project re-connected us to our past but the work we have done is for the present and future generations.
Want to know more about YMCA - Camp Omaui - click here: https://ysouthland.org.nz/service-list/omaui-camp/