Community chance to enjoy Omaui Camp

The Y Southland is preparing to throw open the doors (and the flying fox) at Omaui Camp, with a public open day on Saturday 7^th September.

The day is a celebration of an immense amount of work that has happened both on and offsite for the camp over recent months and what has been a true community collaboration.

The community will have the chance to explore a new walking track and pond, take part in the outdoor adventure-based activities such as the flying fox, spiders web and balancing wires, try some environmental activities, and to have a look through the camp building. The open day will run from 12noon until 3pm, with a free BBQ from 12noon until 2pm.

At Omaui Camp, countless voluntary hours have gone into the development of an onsite walking track, thanks to a partnership with the Rotary Club of Invercargill. A huge area has been cleared, 350 metres of track constructed, hundreds of natives planted, a former pond has been reinstated, and four wooden walkways have been put in (made by the Invercargill MenzShed).

Y Southland General Manager Jason Holland said the project had been huge but was well worth the many hours of work.

“The partnership with the Rotary Club of Invercargill has been key to getting this project completed, and there is now a fantastic onsite space that we know will be enjoyed by thousands of young people, only adding to their Omaui Camp experience,” he said.

Omaui Health Camp was 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 building and the club had since been back to support the camp on numerous occasions including activities to mark their 50^th and 75^th anniversaries.

President of the Rotary Club of Invercargill, Chami Abeysinghe said it was only fitting that the club return to Omaui Camp this year as they celebrate 100 years of service to the community.

“Omaui holds a very special place in the hearts of our club members, and we couldn’t be happier at what our partnership with the Y Southland has achieved! There has been 350m of weed matting and nearly 75tonnes of gravel laid to create the walking tracks. We asked MenzShed to build the four wooden walkways, so we know they are sturdy and built to the highest possible standards.

Our club members, their families, workmates, and friends rallied together with Jason, Pete, and 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 as well. We can’t wait to celebrate with the team during the open day,” she said.

Ms Abeysinghe said project fitted in perfectly with Rotary’s vision of “a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”. Furthermore, this project also fits in with Rotary’s focus areas in education and environment making it the perfect partnership.

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 numerous activity sheets for schools or visiting groups 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.”

“This environmental education project has been a long time coming, so it is fantastic to have this product to launch alongside our new track and pond,” Mr Holland said.

“Omaui is a really special place and we’re doing what we can to ensure schools and community groups or organisations 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 7^th September, 2024

Time: 12noon to 3pm (free BBQ 12noon to 2pm)

Where: Omaui Camp, 159 Mokomoko Road, Omaui