Author: Cottage By The Sea
Where is the storm?
What a week! Storms forecasted all week from the Bureau of Meteorology. Temperatures as low as 4 degrees. Snow down to 600m on the forecast! We braced ourselves for a horrible week of freezing temperatures, gale force winds and torrential rain. This was not the case for Queenscliff. In fact, we had a beautiful week […]
Any child regardless of colour and creed
In 1951 a new matron, Sister Nora Harper, arrived at Cottage by the Sea from the Ministering Children’s League (MCL) parent house in Ottershaw, England. She was highly qualified and well experienced both medically and administratively. In her notes from that year, Matron Harper writes: “the selection of children to be sent on holiday has […]
Search for the buried treasure!
Every weekend the ‘pirate’ Captain Red Beard comes along to Cottage and buries some treasure in our sandpit. Full of goodies for the campers to find! This week Captain Red Beard buried a huge amount of treasure, he left a note saying there was up to 7 treasure boxes to be found. The first evening […]
A Woori Special Birthday
It was a Monday morning as camp leaders Steve and Louise made a 3hour journey to collect 19 excited children from the small town of Woori Yallock in the Yarra Ranges. Amongst them was a special little camper Ayla, who would be celebrating her 9th Birthday while on camp. We had only been on the bus […]
Trusty friend Tigger
On Monday morning camper Bryce arrived at Cottage with his trusty friend Tigger tucked tightly under his arm. Tigger and Bryce’s first adventure was a trip to A Maze n Games and mini golf. Tigger quietly watched from the sidelines holding his breath as Bryce putted his ball around the green, followed by a Yes! As […]
Meet our new CEO
Adam Wake joins Cottage by the Sea as CEO, after 11years managing the Lions Village Licola Inc (LVL). A not-for-profit, 270-bed outdoor education camp in remote Victoria. Many of the children welcomed to LVL are either disadvantaged, disabled or disengaged and have enjoyed rewarding, if not life changing, experiences on an LVL program. During his […]
Bourke Street, Baldy and Burnt Hut Spur
An opportunity to ski the slopes of Mt Buller comes very rarely for our second year REEF participants. This year we hit the slopes in July to challenge the patience, resilience and comfort zones of the 15 REEFies. Ollie was very excited to see the winter wonderland, snow-capped trees on Mt. Buller. He didn’t enjoy […]
The Mentors Amazing Race
It was the first week of the July school holidays and our 37 Mentors had just returned from the 88th floor on the Eureka Skydeck where they had experienced the thrill of ‘The Edge’. In teams of nine The Race was ready to begin. The aim of this race was to score as many points as […]
To keep the clouds of war from influencing children
In 1940, the Ministering Children’s League (MCL), the founding charity of Cottage by the Sea, held their Jubilee AGM, celebrating 50 years in Australia. Held in the Reception Room at the Melbourne Town Hall to a packed attendance, Dame Enid Lyons, gave a delightful address pointing out: “how necessary it is for all to realise […]
Cottage Cooks Creating Masterpieces
Eight friendly smiles greeted Cottage by the Sea on Tuesday afternoon as a group of Mentors arrived for Cooking Camp. The girls’ energy remained enjoyable to be around until the last minute on Friday afternoon, paired with a truckload of laughs. Their first night at the Cottage was filled with flour and coloured icing, requiring […]
Nothing beats a sisterly bond
On Tuesday afternoon sixteen smiling faces came bounding in through the front doors of the Cottage. Despite the hefty five-hour drive from the small town of St Arnaud, spirits were high amongst these Take a Break campers and a delicious lunch was awaiting! Amongst the bunch was an especially enthusiastic pair of siblings who bombarded the camp leaders […]
Food, food, glorious food!
Tiwa was surprised at how much food there was on camp. Coming from Congo less than six months ago, Tiwa was amazed at the choices she was offered at every mealtime. The excitement of trying new fruits such as the sweet pineapple, juicy raspberries, sweet honey melon and fleshy cantaloupe made her a fruit lover. […]
We keep on giving
Here at Cottage our campers appreciate the generousity of our supporters who give them gifts; knitted items, food, toys, clothes and funds to pay for their incredible camp experiences. As part of our Recreation, Education, Environment and Friendship (R.E.E.F.) program, we like to teach our campers to give back to the community that so kindly gives […]
Dangerfield nominates Cottage for $100,000
NEWMAN’S Own Foundation, founded by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, has announced Patrick Dangerfield as one of seven Australian sports stars being in a special charity grants program. In recognition of his ongoing commitment to giving back to the local community, star Cat Dangerfield was invited by the foundation to nominate an Australian […]
What was your favourite?
“What was your favourite thing on camp so far?” the Cottage by the Sea camp leader asked a group of eager campers from Warrnambool. “The surfing,” says one camper. “The fishing,” says another. “No! The swimming and surfing.” Then a few people add: “definitely the surfing and the fishing.” With so many fun filled activities, […]
Fun – the same in all languages!
Last week, 20 children the Western English Language School arrived for four days full of new experiences, exposure to the broader English language, real world use of their developing language skills and most importantly FUN! The children came from two separate campuses, one of the campuses is towards the end of their program so their […]
Sydney Scramble
Recently Year 9 students on our Mentor Program had the privilege of going on one of our most exciting offsite camps! We all knew our destination was Sydney, we just did not know what awaited us (well apart from those who organised it). Sydney the biggest city in Australia blessed with mild to warm weather and a […]
New Country, New Language, New Experiences
On Tuesday Morning, 20 lucky students from Western English Language School, (WELS) arrived at Cottage by the Sea for an exciting 4 day camp. For some of these children this would be their first time camping away from family but they were excited to experience all the wonderful new things Cottage offered. Not long after […]
