November 2009 Vol. 1, Issue 10 (PDF - 16.2Mb) - Department of ...

Shine 61
Originally, all successful applicants were
required to pass a medical examination
to attend a camp at Somers. But as time
progressed and the benefits of mass
immunisation programs came into effect, this
procedure ceased.
As it is today on arrival, children would be
shown their room which originally was a long
barrack room with steel and wire beds and
horsehair mattresses. The visiting teacher had a
room of their own, and there were no sleeping
bags as you have today, just sheets, pillows
and blankets. The huts and equipment were
rudimentary compared to today’s standards,
but they were serviceable and sufficient.
Nowadays the dormitories are heated and
showers and toilets are in the hut. Fifty years
ago, the campers donned their dressing gowns
and slippers when a trip to the bathroom was
needed, and were taken to the communal
showers in all types of weather.
But as the years, progressed so did the
camp. In November 1990, the Ministry
of Education opened the environmental
studies and art complex. This facility replaced
obsolete buildings and added an exciting
new dimension to the program. An animal
enclosure and an aviary were built. Each day,
the eager children would wait in anticipation
to assist the animal keeper in feeding and
caring for the animals. The Coolart Homestead
and Coolart bird hides also became an integral
part of each camper’s visit to the area.
Curriculum activities were further modified,
some became redundant and many new
activities and facilities were constructed.
Nature studies became environmental studies,
ropes courses became low and high element
rope courses. Bike education, orienteering,
assault courses, bush cooking, weather studies,
boating, surfing, fishing lessons and indoor
archery were all set up over the next few years.
An indoor climbing wall was built, a mini
golf course was established, the canteen was
upgraded and new recreation rooms opened.
And then the monster of all monsters was
created: the challenge swing. With safety rules
and gear each child discovered what he or she
was made of, and many fears that children held
within themselves were expelled forever.
In April 2008, the old ‘cinema’ was fully
refurbished and officially commenced life as
the new Somers School Camp Performing
Arts and Conference Centre. This facility
is now large enough to accommodate an
audience of 500, and even incorporates
make–up and costume facilities.
But some things never change. To this day,
the final night of every camp at Somers is
reverently concluded with the tear-jerking
Campfire Song, which has been sung by over
160,000 children over the last 50 years:
By the blazing Somers firelight
We have met in fellowship tonight
Round about the whispering trees
Guard our golden memories
And so before we close our eyes to sleep
Let us pledge each other that we keep
Somers friendship strong and deep
Till we meet again.
Eugene (Zol) Zolnierczyk is a former teacher
at Cobram Primary School, and has been the
honorary historian for Somers School Camp for
nearly 10 years.