There is something fitting about celebrating Chum Creek in Wesley's 160th anniversary year. As Wesley marks this milestone, our beloved camp is approaching one of its own: 75 years as the backdrop to some of the most vivid memories in the lives of Wesley students. It was the perfect moment for a celebration.
Chum Creek opened its gates to the whole Wesley community in March for a Celebration Day that brought together families, friends, staff and OWs to honour and appreciate the camp’s rich history.
Around 600 guests were Welcomed to Country by Wurundjeri Elder, Ian Hunter, followed by a welcome address from our Principal Nick Evans (OW1985). By midday, the grounds were alive with activities including campus tours, coffee and anniversary cupcakes, family picnic lunches under the trees, outdoor table tennis and ‘high-fives’ with Wes the Lion.
Other hands-on attractions included the thrilling flying fox and high ropes course, while cooking damper over an open fire offered a taste of traditional Chum Creek activities. The most popular attraction – and one that provided many great conversations – was the Historic Camp Books Display in the Alfred John Wall Field Studies Centre, where OWs and relatives searched for historical camp entries, photos and memorabilia from the past 74 years.
Under glorious autumn sunshine, it was a wonderful opportunity for OWs and families to discover and rediscover Chum Creek and share memories of the adventures and friendships that have made it such an enduring part of the Wesley story.
