Ken’s initial inspiration and ‘dream’ in 1998 led to discussions with the late District Governor, Vance Hilton, about how to bring the idea of a camp for children with special needs to fruition. The camp was launched as “Camp Millennium” at DG Vance’s District Conference in 2000.

Camp Getaway now caters for those of all abilities and mobility, provides a meeting place for support groups, and offers those who need it most a sanctuary away from their daily struggles.  Whilst disability and related support groups have priority for booking dates, Camp Getaway welcomes bookings from family groups, church groups, clubs, special functions, business meetings, and recreational groups. 

One of the first problems he addressed was to replace the mattresses, some of which were quite rank. Our own Simon O’Donoghue located and supplied good quality hospital mattresses, he was given the use of a truck, and a reduced fee at the local tip for disposing of the old goods. 

Ken described how the existing Nissan Huts needed to be replaced, and how businesses from the Bendigo area supported the rebuilding of accommodation cabins with time and goods. From the beginning, he said, the working bees were always fun, with volunteers working long hours under arc lights to get jobs completed in a weekend. He is ever-grateful for the generous donations that supporters have given for refurbishing the camp. 

Four years they employed a camp manager who now arranges the bookings for families, schools and other groups.

Three years ago they installed a new kitchen, with 90% of the work being done by working bees: the kitchen added $300,000 in value to the camp. Solar panels and bulk gas storage have been installed to cut costs, and generous donations have made air conditioning, a new main hall and improved fire-fighting equipment possible. The next step is refurbishing the tennis and basketball courts. 

Ken told heartbreaking stories about “Shine for Kids”, when  some children of people in jail came for a holiday in the camp in 2019. Ken struggled to contain his emotions as he told how two children didn’t want to go home after the camp, as their home situations were so bad. 

Questions elicited succession plans, with a young manager and his wife at the camp, and more working bees planned.

Ken stressed that Camp Getaway is a continuing project, and that it belongs to the combined Rotary Clubs of District 9800. It is the result of concerted fundraising by a number of Rotary clubs across Victoria and the donations and physical efforts of these Clubs have been invaluable.