A week of ocean adventures 

The 14 young boys from rural Victoria were excited for a week of activities by the sea. The group brought an excited energy to Cottage and set a good tone for the week ahead with their easy-going nature.

The children enjoyed a week of activities spent in, on and around the ocean. After lunch on the first day, they were straight in the water to enjoy boogie-boarding at Cottage Beach. The group was in luck as the skies were blue and the waves were a great size for the group. All the children got involved and there were many smiles and laughs shared between each other.

On the second day of the program, the group enjoyed a fishing boat charter on Port Phillip Bay. They had the most ideal weather conditions for this activity – there was no wind and the water was perfectly calm, still and glassy. The children caught plenty of fish, and even a large banjo shark that they returned to the ocean. The participants were able to enjoy the total fishing experience, as they ate the fish they had caught for dinner at Cottage the following evening.

The children learned lots about the local marine habitat and the amazing marine creatures in the local area. They were very curious when visiting the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre, as well as on the Marine Discovery Centre educational boat charter. On the boat, the children investigated small amounts of dredged ocean floor, looking for different sea creatures and seaweed species.  

It was a wonderful Take a Break program full of ocean adventures, learning, laughter and sharing. We look forward to welcoming children from Flowerdale back in the future.