Eddy Would go... “HOLIDAY CAMPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM MARGINALISED AND DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS “ new beginnings… where do you want to see ERC go? Over the last few months there have been quite a few changes around the camps office. The departure of Scoops and Sam has left room for the arrival of Matt into a more formal role in camps, and the appointment of Anneke as EO. It is a great opportunity to reflect on all that Camps has achieved over the past 25 years, and also look ahead to the future, and what we can still do and achieve moving forwards. It has always been the hard work and dedication of volunteers that has made camps so suc- cessful, and we want to hear from you now! Do you have an idea, a thought, a direction that you would like to see camps go? Is it a big idea, or a little one? Do you want to re-connect with camps, but in a new capacity? Have you learnt some new skills that could benefit camps? Can’t commit to a whole week of camp, but would still like to help in some way? Now is the time to get in touch with the office and share your ideas, sto- ries, and have a cuppa! Contact: [email protected]0439 900 832 bushwalks and blue skies Winter camps at Winbourne can be many things—cold, wet, muddy...Luckily for our campers in July, all we had was sun, a few chilly mornings, and still plenty of mud! This made for perfect bushwalking conditions, and together with Travis, who is a new member of the Edmund Rice team at Winbourne, we trekked our way through scrub and bush , learnt about the history of Winbourne, and enjoyed the clean air and sights and sounds of nature.
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Eddy Would go...
“HOLIDAY CAMPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT FOR
I think everyone involved in the Junior Camp at Mulgoa this
winter would agree that the camp was a huge success. Being a
new leader to Edmund Rice Camps and not really knowing what
to expect I was shocked to see a program run almost entirely by
volunteers so organised and amazing. Our Team leaders, Katie
and David, did such a great job planning a week full to the brim
of fantastic activities, which resulted in so much fun for every-
one.
After meeting all the kids I soon realised that every single one of
them was beautiful, intelligent, hilarious and full of energy. The
week started off full of activities and never really stopped (and
the kids never ran out of energy). Beginning with playing lots of
games followed up with treasure hunts, the Mini Olympics, mud-
dy bush walks, giant Pictionary, talent shows, science shows,
face painting, storey telling, tooth fairies, crocodile and tractor
rides—the fun never really stopped. The science show was a def-
inite highlight with all the kids watching so attentively, partici-
pating, asking questions and later exclaiming their desire to be-
come scientists. The tractor ride was another huge success with
some of the kids screaming out “this is the best day of my life”.
One of our final activities, the Talent Show was one of my fa-
vourite parts of the camp with every single person getting in-
volved and the kids showing us all their special talents and really
displaying how comfortable they all felt at camp and how their
confidence had grown over the five days.
The week on camp was a humbling and amazing experience that
I know I will never forget. With so many laughs, a few tears and
making many new friends, camp turned out to be one of the best
experiences of my life. Volunteering with Edmund Rice has
made me see that when put in the fun, supportive environment
that Edmund Rice creates, every single child can reach their full
potential, with every child I met on camp being so beautiful,
unique, smart and the thing that surprised me most, so well be-
haved and so appreciative to be on camp for the week.
I feel extremely lucky to have been able to play a role in such a
fantastic week, being blessed with such great weather and the
most amazing kids, I really cannot wait to camp again!
Stacey Hogan, New Volunteer, July Junior Camp 2013
leader profile...
Tom Barnes — Name, age & (nicknames):
Tom Barnes, 22, Nicknames: Barnsey and Shrek (don’t know why) Favourite hobbies:
Long walks along the beach and candle lit dinners, which I like to do in my spare time from volunteering at an animal shelter where I help baby seals. The other more believe hobbies include playing basketball, going to the beach and eating burritos.
How and when did you get involved with ERC?
I got involved in ERC 5 years ago now; my school did fundraising for ERC in my final year which is when I first found out about it. After I graduated I did my first camp that summer and I haven’t looked back since.
Favourite camp food?
Pie Day Friday, anything that rhymes must be good. Are you studying/working?
I work as a Management Consultant where I am part of a team that goes around to other companies and help them do work that they don’t have the ability to do.
If you could have one super power what would it be and why?
The ability to turn anything I touch into Skittles, I saw it on ad one time and it looked amazing.
Quirky detail / something people wouldn’t know about myself …
I’m more than impartial to a good musical. Seeing the Lion King on Broadway in February this year was one of the highlights of my USA holiday. Other notable musicals I’ve enjoyed include: Avenue Q, Les Miserables (musical over film), Wicked and Jersey Boys.
My most challenging camp experience was…
There is two:
1 I didn’t get picked in crocodile one time, it was devastating. 2 I was team leader on a camp and during morning cartoon
time I came in and found 6 leaders playing uno together, without any kids when there were kids running around with-out leaders.
If you could be anyone for one day, who would it be and why?
LeBron James – Best Basketball player of this age. If I could start Game 7 in the NBA finals as the season MVP and the finals MVP and win a NBA championship, I’d be a happy man.
Five people I would like to have over for dinner (& reasons)…
Steven Fry – Brilliant comedian and mind, would make for excellent conversation. Nikola Tesla – Fantastic inventor Winston Churchill – One of the greatest leaders in the modern age Michael Jordan – Greatest Basketball player of all time Jamie Oliver – Somebody needs to cook, think he’d do a pretty good job
favourite picture...↓
supporters & history hotspot...
1800 Cox family arrives in Sydney from
Dorset.
1816 Cox family received grants of over
3000 acres in the Mulgoa Valley
1824 Building of Winbourne began.
Property was used for agriculture
(sheep, horses, vineyards, cows, wheat
and cereal, orchards)
1840 Extensions were built. The house
now had 23 rooms as well as various
outbuildings
1882 The Stables were built. The stone used
was quarried from the south-west corner
of the property. You can see these
materials on the internal walls of the
chapel
1900 Change in the usage of the land in the
Mulgoa Valley
1901 Financial crash causes Cox family to
sell Winbourne to Peter Hewitt
1920 Fire gutted the mansion. The Stables
were converted into guest houses
1938 The number of Guest Houses in the area
peaked at more than thirty (including
the Wallacia Hotel)
1958 Christian Brothers purchased
Winbourne. Adaptations to the property
were made
1993 Extensive redevelopment began—new
community residence, dining room
kitchen complex, cottages, refurbish
ment of the Retreat building and
Chapel, reception block
1997 Restoration and renovation of the
Stables to its structure and appearance
as it would have been in 1882.
*These facts come courtesy of Travis—the new local
farmhand working up on the property—thanks Travis!
We would like to thank the
following organisations for
their support of camps over the
past 12 months.
Phillips Family Foundation
Aquinas Catholic College, Menai
Edmund Rice College,
Wollongong
St Patrick’s College, Strathfield
Christian Brothers High School,
Lewisham
Winbourne Retreat and
Conference Centre, Mulgoa
Oceania Support Centre, Balmain
Thanks for your Support
Your generous contributions ensure
that Edmund Rice Camps can
contribute to provide programs for
young people in need.
Winbourne, Mulgoa
Did you know...
leader profile...
Laura Rojas —
Name, age & (nicknames): Laura, 20 years old, Selena Gomez! Favourite hobbies: Drawing, acting, reading How and when did you get involved with ERC? It was through a friend in high school. That was back in about December 2010. Favourite camp food? Eddie burgers with ham, lettuce, tomato, mayo and BBQ sauce Are you studying/working? Both – I’m at university doing a Bachelor of Medical Science, and I work in VIP events and banqueting at the Star If you could have one super power what would it be and why? Time manipulation – I would never be guilty of procrastination again! Quirky detail / something people wouldn’t know about myself … I have a deathly fear of aliens My most challenging camp experience was… Being Team Leader: I thought it would just be like any other camp. In a week I learnt so much about myself, and how I function as a leader. It was a tough but very rewarding experience. If you could be anyone for one day, who would it be and why? Selena Gomez – we look alike but we lead very different lives. I think it would be rather interesting Five people I would like to have over for dinner (& reasons)… Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty, because he’s so talented Kath from Kath and Kim because she’s so funny Sheldon Cooper because he’s so smart Nelson Mandela because he’s so inspirational Geoffrey Rush because he’s just awesome!
senior camp wrap up... Selfies, swans and cheeky smiles...
Eddy Rice camps are always a place where friendships are formed,
memories are made and most importantly, everyone involved has
a great time. The July senior camp was no different to the usual
camp routine, and by no different I obviously mean completely
different. The senior camp initiated new faces to the Eddy Rice
world, with the welcoming of Anneke the new boss lady who took
charge of the troops and took the week into new directions. O-day
passed, and we quickly found out that we had a lively bunch of
leaders who worked well together and had a fond appreciation of
good humour and quick wit. Our fate was in the always-capable
hands of both Amy and Max for the week, both of who are experi-
enced campers and one an expert in the field of the selfie method.
Monday came around quickly; Herro joined us straight off the
plane from PNG and we had our last supper before the troops ar-
rived for the week. The buses pulled in with clearly excitable
campers ready for an action packed week of fun and festivities. As
the campers and leaders mingled, we quickly developed friend-
ships and found common ground through conversations and
games. While I wish I could detail the week that was in full, I
can’t, so I’ll do my best to cover the highlights of the senior camp
for July 2013.
Festivities started with the all-important Eddy Rice Scavenger
Hunt. Teamed up and ready to roll, the hunt was revolutionized by
yours truly to ignite the competitive flame and to challenge the
season campers. I mean, who even knew Mulgoa had a sundial?
(excluding Bradden of course). The hunt was a success and
marked the beginnings of the inaugural Eddy Rice Olympic Games,
a tradition held at camp throughout the millennia. Cheer routines
likened to those seen at the Super Bowl were performed and a
fierce battle for the gold ensued throughout the day’s events. A
phenomenal effort for the first day of activities.
The senior camp welcomed a wonderful asset to Mulgoa, Travis
the farmer (kindly nicknamed Brother Travis by the campers).
Travis took us campers under his wing and showed us around the
property on a number of bushwalks and an all important tractor
ride. Sharing his insight with us, his knowledge about the property
and its history was extensive. On these adventures we visited sup-
posed haunted houses, and the old ‘swimming pool’ at the end of
a newly cut track that was edged with razor sharp plants (note to
self: wear long pants next time). Brother Travis often found him-
self amidst the humour of the campers and landed himself with
the most intriguing questions; who would have know there were
so many 'Ranga' cows on the property?
The highlight of these adventures saw us spotting the mysterious black
swans of Mulgoa, the likes of which had not been seen in the last 50
years more then once, but as luck would have it we not only spotted them
once, but twice!
As a group we ventured to new and captivating places; The Armoury and
Trampoline World were two highlight moment on the trip. As a group we
overtook the massive multi-purpose playgroup located in Newington; we
occupied this territory, set up camp and fed the troops for a good 4
hours. The Armoury saw the creation of a rag tag team of boy’s aptly
nicknamed 'thug lyf' and introduced us all to a slippery game named
'Midnight'. Trampoline World (as I like to call it) was by far the highlight
moment on the trip, whether because of the local patrons, (Abs Antho-
ny), the fact this place is literally one massive trampoline, or simply be-
cause of entertainment provide by both campers and leaders. It was here
at Trampoline World that star-crossed lovers were destined to meet, so
the story goes.
Any Eddy Rice camp is incomplete without the show stopping, world-
renowned Eddy's Got Talent Concert. This even saw thousands flock from
all over to converge on the Stables to witness acts that paid homage to
the greats like ABBA, Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift. Freestyled tunes
saw the world premiere of the 'Potato Song', which debut on the ARIA
chats at number one that same night. Speed and Accuracy saw the
crowds go wild and contestants left red faced. A refreshed, younger and
handsomer Ooga Booga made its appearance, and in Eddy tradition he
sent shivers down the spines of many spectators in the crowd and left a
few with wet pants. But, the crowning moment came with a proposal of
Marriage; the show was interrupted by a group of young boys, the lights
dimmed and soft music begun to play, and it was at this moment Dan
emerged from the crowd, took one knee with ring in hand, and asked
Maddie to be his camp wife. The rest is history and what a history that is.
As I said before, I wish I could outlay all the fantastic stories of the week
that was, but alas I’ve provided a sneak peak into the hysterical week that
saw fantastic memories created and friendships formed. A wonderful way
to spend the week, the camp was a great success thanks to both campers
and leaders.
To all the campers and leaders,
thank you for such an amazing
week IT WAS A BLAST! To this I
close, but I’ll leave you all with
one lasting quote.
'True Life'
Over and out,
Dave.
senior camp wrap up...
important dates... Get your diaries out!!!
SEPTEMBER 2013
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NOVEMBER 2013
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DECEMBER 2013
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JANUARY 2014
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SEPTEMBER 1st Fathers Day 4th CET Selected (Team Leaders and Facilitators selected) 11th CET Initial Meeting 22nd - 26th September Junior/Yr 12 Camp (40 kids & vols) OCTOBER 7th Labour Day (Public Holiday) 23rd CET Review Night 27th September Camps Picnic Day
Dates TBA Community Visit—Walgett/Bowraville NOVEMBER 22nd—24th Weekend Camp (6 kids, Senior, Mulgoa) 24th Family Christmas Party (Mulgoa) 27th CET Selected (January Camps) Dates TBA Community Visit—Walgett/Bowraville DECEMBER 1st New Volunteers Training Day (Compulsory training for all new volunteers registered for January camps) 4th CET Initial Meeting 8th New Volunteers Training Day #2 25th Christmas Day (Public Holiday) 26th Boxing Day (Public Holiday) JANUARY 1st New Years Day (Public Holiday) 5th - 10th January Wk 1 Camps (Bowraville & Siblings camp). 12th - 17th January Wk 2 Camps (Junior & Senior camp) 19th - 23rd January Wk 3 Camps (Yr 12/Junior camp) 26th Australia Day 27th Australia Day Public Holiday
LEGEND
CET
Public Holiday
Camps
New Leader Training
notice board…
Have you ever thought
about getting your bus
license? We can help you!
ERCNSW will provide:
A bus to practice on
Informal lessons with Matt Herro
Support & Encouragement
All you need to do is be willing to drive the bus on camp occasionally—maybe for the whole week, a morning, or a day!
new leader reflections... Why didn't I do this sooner!
After attending my first Edmund Rice Camp in July, I am wondering why it took me so long to decide to be an ERC camp leader! The kids were welcoming and exciting, and it surprised me how quickly they warmed up to you and joined you in on their fun. After settling in with the help of some great games and activities, I think all the leaders and kids really enjoy themselves. Our trips to Adventure Land and Flip Out, and the funny camp initiation games made me feel like a kid again! I really enjoyed the bush walks and tractor ride, and seeing the kids faces when they watched the cows and learnt about the crops and farm animals. I was amazed by the talent show, where we got to see how a little encouragement can make a big difference to the kids’ lives. It was touching to see how kids who were quiet and hesitant at the start of camp, were able to put on an act in front the whole group on the last night. Even more moving still, was the encouragement and care the children gave to each other to build up each other’s confidence. I left camp feeling uplifted, because of how fulfilling it is to have fun and help the kids. I want to say a big thank you all the other leaders, who were so welcoming and kind. You all taught me a lot & I was very in-spired by being part of such a great group of young people! We had so much fun together & I know I have made some great new friendships. Senior Camp, July 2013, Rebecca Cefai
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Keep in touch with other ERCNSW Volunteers and up to date with programs coming up in ERC.
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Would you like EWG electronically? Would you like to save some trees? Would you prefer to receive your copy of EWG via
email? Let the office know and we will update this for next time.
The Edmund Rice Foundation has been set up by the Christian Brothers in Oceania to support outreach ministries associated with them. ERCNSW receives no financial support from Government Agencies and is reliant on the support of the Foundation, the Christian Brothers, associated schools and fundraising to survive.
With the support of the Brothers through the subsidized use of the site at Mulgoa and the generosi-ty of many local councils and businesses in offering discounts for activities the cost for each person per camp is around $150. For a 5 day holiday with everything included, I think all would agree it is good value. ERCNSW provides all placements to children and families at no cost, some government and non government agencies have contributed to the cost of a child where this is possible. No child will ever be prevented from attending (or given a place) on any camp based on availability of funding.
Through the work of the Foundation, its’ staff and the ERC Fundraising Team we will continue to devel-op support for the camps through sponsorship, donations and fundraising activities. If you have any suggestions or contacts who may be able to assist please let us know.
All donations of $2 or more to the Foundation or Camps are tax deductible and used for the provision of places on camp. If you would like to make a donation, please complete the attached form and mail or contact the office to discuss possibilities.
I would like to make a donation of $______________ to the Edmund Rice Foundation Ltd, to support the work of the Edmund Rice Camps. Please find enclosed my Cheque Money Order Cash Name: _________________________________ Postal Address: __________________________ Mobile: ____________________________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________