Community
- Omaui Camp will host a public open day on Saturday, 22nd February 2025.
- New walking track, outdoor activities, and environmental education resources will be showcased.
- The Rotary Club of Invercargill played a key role in the camp’s redevelopment.
Omaui Camp is set to welcome the community for an open day on Saturday, 22nd February, offering a chance to explore the camp’s upgraded facilities and outdoor spaces. Hosted by Y Southland, the event will run from 12 noon to 2 pm and will feature a free BBQ.
Originally planned for September last year, the event was postponed due to bad weather. The upcoming open day will serve as both a second opportunity for visitors and a celebration of the extensive work completed at the camp throughout 2024.
Guests will be able to experience a newly developed walking track, explore adventure-based outdoor activities, and view a new environmental education resource. They can also take a tour of the camp building, which has a long history of serving the Southland community.
The upgrades at Omaui Camp were made possible through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Invercargill, which worked alongside Y Southland staff to develop the new track. This involved clearing a large area, constructing 350 metres of track, planting hundreds of native plants, and reinstating a former pond. The Invercargill MenzShed also contributed by building four wooden walkways.
Y Southland Chief Executive Pete Thompson expressed gratitude for the Rotary Club’s involvement. “The Rotary Club of Invercargill were absolutely instrumental in making this all possible, and we can’t thank them enough for what they’ve worked so hard to create onsite at Omaui Camp – it’s a space that will be enjoyed by thousands of young people over many years to come,” he said.
The site has a deep connection with the Rotary Club, dating back to 1935 when it was the Omaui Health Camp. At that time, members helped clear boulders from the area and contributed materials and labour to build the original camp facilities. The latest project marks the club’s major service effort in celebration of its 100 years of service.
Rotary Club President Michael Blomfield highlighted the club’s longstanding involvement with Omaui Camp. “Omaui Camp holds a special connection for our members, with other Club milestone projects for the Club’s 50th and 75th anniversaries undertaken at the camp. We couldn’t be happier at what our partnership with the Y Southland has achieved on this project. 350m of weed matting and nearly 75 tonnes of gravel laid to create the walking tracks, along with collaboration with MenzShed to produce four wooden walkways, and hundreds of plantings. Club members, their families, and friends rallied together with the team from the Y Southland to bring this vision to life. It has been a lot of hands-on hard work, but we’ve had a great deal of fun and fellowship along the way. The open day is a perfect way for us to celebrate with the Y team,” he said.
Environmental education is another key focus at Omaui Camp, thanks to support from the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation. A new education resource written by Lloyd Esler provides information on Omaui’s history, plant life, coastal environment, and bird species. Schools will have access to activity sheets linked to the curriculum, learning resources for hire, and interpretation panels along the walking track.
Paul Norris, Chairperson for the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation, emphasised the importance of the project. “It aligns nicely with our Foundation objectives of providing educational opportunities in the outdoors for local community groups in our region.”
Thompson sees the latest upgrades as a way to make Omaui more accessible to all. “Omaui is a really special place, and we’re doing what we can to people have as many reasons to visit the camp as possible.”
Omaui Camp was originally a Children’s Health Camp and has been operated by Y Southland since 2001. While primarily used for school camps, it is also available for community and private bookings.
Event Details:
What: Omaui Camp Open Day
When: Saturday, 22nd February 2025
Time: 12 noon – 2 pm
Where: Omaui Camp, 159 Mokomoko Road, Omaui