History

As the Camp grew in popularity, many more Special Schools began to access Blackwood. Blackwood fast became a destination where students could enhance their independent living skills while simultaneously engaging in outdoor and environmental education programs. While at Blackwood, many students supported the Camp by helping with the basic maintenance and upkeep of the camp.

In 1979 the volunteer Christian Work Camps Group was engaged to redeveloped the old Teacher Residence (formally the Police Residence during the Gold Rush) into a second accommodation site for students which was officially opened on 29th March 1980. On 14th April 1980, Geelong Special School became the first School to arrive at the Residence and enjoy a residential experience in the new Residence Accommodation Site.

After changing the name of the camp from Blackwood Camp for Intellectually Handicapped Children to Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre in 1981 the volume of Schools accessing Blackwood increased as they fully utilised both accommodation facilities. Then unfortunately on 24th August 1981, due to a heater igniting a curtain, which was identifed by students, the School Accommodation Site was burnt down after everyone was safely evacuated.

With the support of the Department of Education, Philanthropic Funds and a lot of hard work from the Committee, the School Accommodation Site was rebuilt into an appropriate purpose built accommodation facility re-opening on 12th August 1983.

After the re-opening of the School Accommodation Site Geelong Special School became the first School to access the new facility on 5th September 1983. Once again the Camp was in full operation and the Committee after initating conversations in the late 1970's, turned it's focus to securing staff members to work full time at the Camp, as well as developing a Tent Shelter Accommodation Site to further extend opportunities for students accessing Blackwood.

With plans drawn up, the Committee worked tirelessely to obtain Philanthropic Funds to build the Tent Shelter and in the end settled for a more moderate farm style shed as their Tent Shelter facility. Through this development suitable oportunities were created for students from all Special Schools to enjoy the outdoors and experience life living in a tent. On 23rd March 1987, students from Montague Continuing Education Centre became the first School to experience and enjoy the opportunity to access the Ted Turner Tent Shelter and camp at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre.

Then after 12 years of persistence, campaigning and submitting requests, it became official in 1988 that 2 staff members would be attached to a metropolitan Special School with their appointment being at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre. With the arrival of Chris Clayton & Sandy Richards on 30th January 1989, the Camp was able to evolve. With the continued passion of the Committee and two staff members onsite, very quickly things began to change at Blackwood. A Low Ropes Course was established, a vehcile donated by Variety Club Australia - Victorian Division, Life Members were awarded and the Friends of Blackwood support (FoBS) was established; a group of volunteers focused on supporting the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities.

On the 4th - 6th November 1992, the first ever Blackwood Super Ride was implemented with the full support of the local communities of Blackwood & Trentham. Initially established as a one off event the Committee were proud of what had been achieved with their Super Ride. However, when the locals started to question when the next ride would be implemented in early 1993, an annual event which still runs today was born. Originally supported by the Australian Defence Forces School of Catering who would feed everyone throughout the duration of the event, it was wonderfully recieved by Special Schools, as students challenged themselves to ride the gruelling 40km route through the Wombat State Forest from Blackwood to Trentham and back.

While the Department of Education provided funding for two salaries, the Committee had to continue to fundraise to further invest in the Camp. With the South Melbourne Mayor (also a Special School Principal) on the Committee, 21st March 1997 saw the first of four Very Special Balls held at the South Melbourne Town Hall to raise funds for Blackwood. These were every successful events with all funds raised invested in the Camp.

The popularity of the Super Ride saw the birth of a second bike event when students rode along the Murray to the Mountians Rail Trail between 18th - 21st March 2002 in the inaugural Blackwood Alpine Ride. While students rode 100km through the week, they also enjoyed day walking on the Mount Buffalo Plateau and enjoying the stunning views on offer. As the ride became a regular on the Special Schools calendar, it also gained the support of the communities of Beechworth, Myrtleford & Bright.

4th September 2004, saw the arrival of Blackwood's most popular employee Wacky the Wombat. An employee who is willing to simaltaneously challenge and extend students while also participating and enjoying the learning together.

With the need to continue raising money to further develop the Camp and create more opportunities for students accessing Blackwood, 2nd December 2005 saw the creation of an Annual Golf Charity Day. With the full support of the Trentham Golf Club as well as Kings Cars in Ballarat as the event grew it annually attracted over 100 players all focused on raising money for Blackwood while also trying to win a car to the value of $25,000 by scoring a hole-in-one. On the 2nd December 2022 after raising over $120,000 the Jan Bellette Memorial Golf Chairty Day was implemented for the very last time.

After 25 years of use, our Residence Accommodation Site was shut down on 16th December 2005 for major renovations to bring the building up to code and make it more comfortable for everyone to access and enjoy. With minimal funding, Special Schools throughout Victoria rallied together and donated funds to enable the build to go ahead and on 18th April 2008 the Residence was once again officially opened.

With the Residence now re-opened and upgraded, it made the School Accommodation Site look old and out of date. So with a $30,000 loan from Concord School renovations to the kitchen and bathroom facilities at the School began on 16th June 2008.

After many years of practice, education and creating connections the skill of Philanthropic submission writing had been fine tuned and Blackwood was becoming successful at attracting annual funds to improve the camp and further develop programs. Throughout these years, along with the Golf Charity Day funds, Blackwood went through a large development phase, especially in relation to programs offered to students at Blackwood.

Team Games

Team Games

Team Games

Alphabet Dig Roof

Accessible Alphabet Dig

Accessible Bikes

Archery

Ga - Ga

Wheelchair Swing

High Ropes

Accessible High Ropes

High Ropes

Accessible High Ropes

Climbing

Climbing

Climbing

Accessible Climbing

It was during this time that a third bike event was created challenging students to ride along the Great Victorian Rail Trail, with the first group enjoying the experience from 27th April - 1st May 2015. While the trail is surrounded by picturesque rolling mountians, the highlight of this ride is the 201m long Cheviot Tunnel, a destination thoroughly enjoyed by all participants.

Then on the 6th June 2012, at a meeting at Mt Evelyn SDS (Yarra Ranges SDS), the Committee in front of a large representation of Special Schools made at decision that would lead them down a very different path. A path that would require patience, perserverance and the evolution from a Camp to an Outdoor Residential School. Teaming up with the ROSA (Residential Outdoor Schools Association) Network (later becoming Outdoor Schools Residential Network), Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre began to walk the path of campus funding. As a campus of Frankston Special Developmental School, this funding would come directly from the Department of Education and provide Blackwood with it's own SRP - Student Resource Package.

An SRP would not only fully recognise Blackwood as a School, it would allow for exponential growth through the employment of extra staff as well as investment in curriculum, facilities, grounds and outdoor lessons.

After a jounrey lasting 9 years, 3 months and 28 days which involved welcoming the Minister for Education, the Honourable Mr James Merlino to Blackwood on 5th November 2015, updating policies, compliance, creating a curriculum and surviving COVID 19 through staying connected with School by introducing online learning through our website and online lessons - Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre received an SRP on Monday 4th October 2021.

It is through the direct leadership and passion of Scott Tucker, Steve McMurtrie, Wendy Bice, Abbey Dawkins & the Frankston SDS School Council that the bid for a Blackwood SRP was successful resulting in the Outdoor Residential School you see today.

While throughout the years Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre has grown into a wonderful destination for students with special needs to grow, learn, laugh, challenge, experience and have fun ...