Outdoor Recreation Camp

Torquay Camp Reflection

Day 1

On the 9th of March we set out for our Outdoor Camp. It was a pearler of a morning with no frost and the warm sun setting on the Londonderry oval. Mr Ben (Furph) Furphy and Mr Marcus Smalley accompanied 17 rowdy students and set out on two minibuses to our first adventure, The Narana Indigenous centre just inside the Torquay shire, where we were educated on the tools, technologies and customs of the Wathaurong people who had lived in this region of Victoria for thousands of years. A highlight of mine was getting to throw a boomerang and going to see the Emu (Big Frank) which was fascinating to learn of its importance as a totem to the Wathaurong people. We also got to be up close and personal with a couple of kangaroos. 

After our tour the Narana Indigenous centre, we carried on to Bell’s beach. The wind in the carpark was fresh and had lovely ocean spray and almost swept some of the smaller among us off their feet. Making our way down to the lookout we discussed the surf competition that brings thousands of people to this small stretch of beach and how it can affect the environment both positively and negatively. 

After heading back to the carpark, we made our way to the place we would be staying, The Torquay foreshore caravan park, however we didn’t stay for long as we had to go and purchase our food for lunch and dinner for our time there. We rustled up a big pot of questionable Spag Bowl and set in for the night knowing full well it would be a ripper of a time.

Day 2 

On the second day of camp, the groups got up nice and early for a 45-minute trip to Queenscliff. We arrived at the Queenscliff Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre where a professional marine worker, Lincoln, talked to us about the types of fish and species that are found in the water throughout the Wathaurong areas. He also discussed how some species have travelled across from overseas by latching onto boats and taking over the area. 

After our chat with Lincoln, we travelled down to Swan Bay where we meet Perry, who is a Fisheries Victoria Worker down in the Queenscliff region who took us out for a canoe across Swan Bay. We arrived on a mini-island where we looked at seashells, snails and also talked about the introduced species in the area. On the canoe trip back a bunch of boys by the names of Will Anthony, Albert Whiteley and Nash Dignan decided it would be a great idea to tip the canoe over into Swan Bay, resulting in a couple of unhappy campers.

After the very informative session by Lincoln and Perry, we had a couple of hours to appreciate the Queenscliff region. That afternoon we went for a snorkel out at Popes Eye and enjoyed the scenery above and below the water. We then jumped into the boat that had taken us out to the manmade structure called Chinaman’s Hut which was home to some seals that enjoyed our company as they were jumping all over us. 

At about 8:00 pm we went back to shore and thanked the professionals that took us out, we jumped back on the buses grabbed a feed from Queenscliff and then went back to the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park.

Day 3 

On the 11th of March, the group woke up at 6:30 am to a frosty cold coastal climate ready to go for our last day on camp. A pleasant fume from the boy’s wafted throughout the caravan park as it was the beginning of bacon fest, a large bacon cook up at the communal barbeques. 

Excitement was in the air as we awaited the surf lesson that was not long away. The clock struck 9.00am everyone was elated and ready for the surf. We drove down to the Torquay main beach meeting the ‘Go Ride A Wave’ people. Everyone was geared up in their wetsuits and boards ready to ride a barrel or two, the weather was absolutely pristine for surfing.  

We headed down to the beach and began our safety briefing and quick tutorial on how to surf. It was time, surfing time, everyone ran into the water, Mr Furphy in the front ready to show his true gift… straight out the back he went to the barrels. After many fails and falls, we had our first glimpse at the next Mick Fanning named Wilson Robertson carving it up showing his true surfing colours. Everyone was having a laugh enjoying the salty cold water on our faces and the waves crashing down on us. After an hour our group went from rookie surfers to professionals ready for the Rip Curl Pro. Time was up to pack up shop and head back to the busses. Slight disappointment lingered in the group as surfing was just such a fantastic and fun experience. As it was our last day, we had already packed the buses and were on track to head home with a quick stop at the Torquay shops and Gisborne. After a long drive, we arrived home to Bendigo, leaving our bus a sandy mess.

Nash Dignan (11 Riley)

Albert Whiteley (11 Riley)

William Anthony (11 Aherne)