INTRODUCTION OF CAMPING TO THE SOCIETY AND FIRST CEBS OWNED CAMPSITIE

1932    REV Nichols expresses his conviction that some permanent camp was necessary in an article he wrote which appeared in the April issue of Unitas.[1]

1932    Members of the CEBS Executive, including Rev R G Nichols, Rev P Robinson, G Sambell, W F Rowe, W H Wharington, A Ferres and J E Paynter journeyed to Frankston in July, where they were conducted over the site of a proposed permanent camp by the Rev R G Nichols. This meeting was described as ‘the most monumentous ever held in the history of the society, and the motion passed there by that little group of enthusiasts “That the chairman be given authority to purchase 5 acres of land of behalf of the Society, at a price not exceeding 60 pounds per acre”.

1932    Gathered around a ti-tree bush, the group under the guidance of the REV P W Robinson, entrusted the undertaking to the Father. A CEBS badge was then planted in the soil, which has not been found since.[2]

1932    On July 2^nd a Tea Meeting was given to the Executive, where Mr Nichols announced that the amount necessary to purchase the campsite had been provided by generous friends. The land was accordingly purchased.

1932    On the 24^th of September, His Grace, the Archbishop of Melbourne dedicated the property – “By virtue of our sacred office in the church of God, we now dedicate this area of ground to the Glory of God, and set it apart for all time for use of the young manhood of the church. Mr J S Gawler, the honorary architect, presented His Grace with an engraved mallet with which the foundation stone of the administrative block was duly set.

1932    A Prince competition to raise funds for the camp building was inaugurated with R L Clark, G Sambell as the controlling committee

1932    On December 24^th, just six months after the camp idea had germinated in the fertile brain of ‘Brother Bill’, three blocks of shacks were completed. In all, three camps were held. 70 attended the Senior Camp, 100 were present at the Junior camp the following week, and 60 members stayed on for the third week. They achieved wonderful results in this – the first camp in our permanent home.

1932    Harold Wharington resigned in December, because of his impending departure for Sydney where he later became Vice Chairman of the NSW Executive. Melbourne CEBS experienced a great loss in this genial man with a large smile, who made camping so easy for everyone. To him more than anyone else belongs the credit for introducing camping with all its wonderful potentialities as one of our chief activities.[3]

1933    The Rev R G Nichols not content with his activities at Frankston, spent 2 weeks ‘holiday in Adelaide to help strengthen the movement there. On the way home he called in at the CEBS Annual conference, at Wartook, which resulted in a resolution aiming at a Branch of CEBS being formed in every Parish in the Ballarat Diocese.[4]

1933    Rev R G Nichols and P W Robinson visited Ballarat and addressed a large gathering of men – visits were also made to Maryborough and St. Arnaud.[5]

1933    For the first time with the completed hall, 135 Seniors occupied every available bed at Frankston camp. With the control shared by the Rev R G Nichols, P W Robinson, Mr W F Rowe and Archdeacon Best of Ballarat, the ‘deep spiritual background was further strengthened in these camps.[6]

[1] The Surge of Youth; Ernest E Pawsey pg 10

[2] The Surge of Youth; Ernest E Pawsey pg 11

[3] The Surge of Youth; Ernest E Pawsey pg 12

[4] The Surge of Youth; Ernest E Pawsey pg 14

[5]The Surge of Youth; Ernest E Pawsey pg 14