Omaui Camp Open Day (Round 2!)

(February, 2025) The community will get an opportunity to explore the camp and grounds at Omaui Camp, with the Y Southland hosting a public open day on Saturday 22^nd February.

The open day was originally scheduled for September last year, but bad weather forced its postponement. This is a second chance, and a celebration of a lot of hard work that had happened at the camp over 2024. 

The community will have the chance to explore a new walking track, check out the outdoor adventure-based activities, have a look at a new environmental education resource and to wander through the camp building/. The open day will run from 12noon until 2pm, with a free BBQ onsite.

Throughout 2024, members of the Rotary Club of Invercargill, alongside Y staff, put in countless hours to develop a new walking track on the camp grounds. A huge area was cleared, 350m of track constructed, hundreds of natives planted, a former pond was reinstated and four wooden walkways have been put in (made by the Invercargill MenzShed).

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. They 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 the Y 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 50^th and 75^th anniversaries undertaken at the camp.

We couldn’t be happier at what our partnership with the Y Southland has achieved on this project.  350m of weed matting and nearly 75tonnes of gravel laid to create the walking tracks, along with collaboration with MenzShed to produce four wooden walkways, and hundreds of plantings.

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 is a perfect way for us to celebrate with the Y team ” he said.

The new area is ripe for not only general enjoyment, but also for environmental learning – another area that has been under development for the camp.

Thanks to funding from the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation, an environmental education resource has been written by Lloyd Esler, highlighting Omaui’s history, plants, coastal life, bird life, and more. There are activity sheets for schools to access, with links to the curriculum, as well as learning resources for hire, and interpretation panels alongside the onsite 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.”

Omaui Camp is a former Children’s Health Camp and 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. 

It is based at 159 Mokomoko Road, Omaui.

THE DETAILS

What: Omaui Camp Open Day

When: Saturday 22^nd February 2025

Time: 12noon to 2pm

Where: Omaui Camp, 159 Mokomoko Road, Omaui